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Deep Ocean Circulation

Deep Ocean Circulation. Deep Ocean Circulation. Significant vertical movement Accounts for the thorough mixing of deep- water masses. Density Currents. Vertical movement of water that results from density differences Dense water sinks and spreads out beneath the ocean’s surface

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Deep Ocean Circulation

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  1. Deep Ocean Circulation

  2. Deep Ocean Circulation • Significant vertical movement • Accounts for the thorough mixing of deep- water masses

  3. Density Currents • Vertical movement of water that results from density differences • Dense water sinks and spreads out beneath the ocean’s surface • Increased density caused by: • decrease in temperature • increase in salinity

  4. High Latitudes (decrease in temps.) • where most deep currents begin • sea-ice is formed due to cold temps., leaving behind a greater salinity of remaining water, which then sinks • highest density of ocean water found near Antarctica • ocean water sinks and travels the ocean basin for some 500-2000 years

  5. Evaporation (increases in salinity) • high temps. - increase evaporation • less water leads to greater salinity of remaining water • remaining water sinks to ocean basin and travels the globe

  6. Conveyor Belt – Thermohaline Circulation • the circulation of ocean water around the globe • from the Atlantic through the Indian and Pacific and back

  7. Circulation involves a warm surface current and a cool underlying current • warm surface water flows towards the poles • at the poles water temp. drop - salinity increases making it more dense and it sinks • sinking water then moves towards the equator on the ocean floor

  8. at the equator the water is cold and deep • deep water eventually upwells to complete the circuit – • influences global climate by warm water releasing heat into the atmosphere

  9. Predict: What would happen if thermohaline circulation were to stop?

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