Summary: Important properties of water Property Effects and significance Excellent solvent Transport nutrients and waste products making biological processes possible in an aqueous medium Maximum density at 4oC Ice floats Higher heat of Determines transfer of heat and water vaporization than any between the atmosphere and bodies of water other material Higher heat of fusion Temperature stabilized at the freezing point han any other liquid of water except ammonium Higher heat capacity Stabilization of temperatures of organisms than any other liquid and geographical regions except ammonia Transparent to visible Allow light required for photosynthesis to and longer-wavelength reach considerable depth in bodies of water fraction of UV lightSummary: Important properties of water Property Effects and significance Excellent solvent Transport nutrients and waste products, making biological processes possible in an aqueous medium Maximum density at 4oC Ice floats Higher heat of vaporization than any other material Determines transfer of heat and water between the atmosphere and bodies of water Higher heat of fusion than any other liquid except ammonium Temperature stabilized at the freezing point of water Higher heat capacity than any other liquid except ammonia Stabilization of temperatures of organisms and geographical regions Transparent to visible and longer-wavelength fraction of UV light Allow light required for photosynthesis to reach considerable depth in bodies of water