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Ocean Layers and Vertical Mixing

Ocean Layers and Vertical Mixing. Shanelle Cabral Sierra Jacoby Kevin Scott Hernandez. The R ole o f S alinity and Temperature in Ocean Layers . Density is a physical property of a substance: the mass of the substance in a given volume.

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Ocean Layers and Vertical Mixing

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  1. Ocean Layers and Vertical Mixing Shanelle Cabral Sierra Jacoby Kevin Scott Hernandez

  2. The Role of Salinity and Temperature in Ocean Layers • Density is a physical property of a substance: the mass of the substance in a given volume. • The variations in the surface temperature and salinity of the oceans control the waters density. • Density decreases where there is a decrease in salinity or san increase in temperature. Salinity increases when evaporation occurs.

  3. Vertical Mixing • When the density of water increases with depth, the water column from the surface down is said to be stable. • If the water column has the same density from the top to bottom it is isopycnal. • A water column that is neutrally stable can be easily mixed in the vertical direction by such forces as wind, wave action, or currents.

  4. Upwellings and Downwellings • Downwelling zones represent areas where surface water is sinking. Whereas upwelling zones are areas where bottom water rises to the surface.

  5. Because downwellingcarries oxygen-rich surface water to deeper areas, many organisms can live in the deep water where downwellings occur. • Upwelling, on the other hand, brings water rich in nutrients from sedimentation and decay processes from great depths to the surface.

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