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Deep Ocean Circulation

Deep Ocean Circulation. http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/image/earth_day.jpg. Effect of Solar Radiation on Sea Surface Temperature. Sunlight. Modified image from Windows to the Universe, http://www.windows.ucar.edu. Sea Surface Temperature. oceanworld.tamu.edu. Surface Currents.

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Deep Ocean Circulation

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  1. Deep Ocean Circulation http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/image/earth_day.jpg

  2. Effect of Solar Radiation on Sea Surface Temperature Sunlight Modified image from Windows to the Universe, http://www.windows.ucar.edu

  3. Sea Surface Temperature oceanworld.tamu.edu

  4. Surface Currents Sea to Air Heat Transfer

  5. Deep Ocean Currents Driven by Density of Seawater hawaiianphotos.net melindawebster.com • What effects water density? • Colder water Denser (to 4°C) • Saltier water Denser

  6. Deep water forms when: ● Surface water flows to the poles and gets colder ● When seawater freezes it leaves salt behind, increasing salinity ● Water becomes denser and sinks http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/

  7. Modeling cold salty water sinking

  8. Global Conveyor Belt Sinking Cold, Salty Water

  9. Courtesy NASA/JPL-Caltech http://sealevel.jpl.nasa.gov/index.html

  10. Global Conveyor Belt Thermohaline Circulation • Thermo = temperature • Haline = salinity

  11. Why is thermohaline circulation important? • Major influence on climate • Transfers heat from equator to poles • Nutrient cycling • Brings oxygen to deep ocean organisms

  12. Warmed and lit by sun O2 (oxygen) PRODUCED in surface ocean Mixed with atmosphere Mixed Photosynthesis Surface Ocean O2 O2 O2 Less Nutrients Boundary Deep Ocean Cold, Dark, No Photosynthesis, More Nutrients Oxygen (O2) USED O2 O2

  13. How will global climate change affect thermohaline circulation? • Melting of sea ice • Increased precipitation • Decrease in salinity • May alter thermohaline circulation informify.com

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