What does glass do in sea water?

Answer 1

Sea glass left in salt water does not do a whole lot. Since clear glass is composed of soda-lime, it is possible that leaching could occur. However, even very old glass found in salt water still has a shiny surface if not subjected to physical contact with other objects.

If the glass is subjected to physical contact with other materials, however, chipping will occur. This usually is a result of oscillations in the water, most noticeable in beach glass or sea glass, that is glass found on beaches between mean high and low tide lines where the most tumbling from waves occurs. This results in a "frosted" look from the minute chips caused by tumbling with small rocks and sand.

This, of course, is not a chemical reaction but from the physical contact with other objects.

A chemical reaction can occur when exposed to sunlight, for example, on the beach. Other ingredients in the glass (minerals for color, or impurities) can change color when subjected to ultraviolet rays over a period of time. This, however, is not due to the water and is not the basically glass itself that is affected.

More information on the origin of glass and sea glass can be found at http://www.odysseyseaglass.com/how-is-sea-glass-made.html

http://www.odysseyseaglass.com/sea-glass-colors.html

http://www.odysseyseaglass.com/flashed-and-stained-sea-glass-donations.html

Answer 2

Glass does not have a significant impact on sea water. It does not dissolve or react with sea water the way some metals or plastics might. Glass may break into smaller pieces and sink to the ocean floor, where it may be found by marine organisms and potentially be ingested.