Deep Ocean Currents Flashcards
what is salinity?
how much salt is in the water
salinity is how much ______ is in the water
salinity
Differences in _____ and _____ create different densities in ocean water
temperature, salinity
What two factors influence density in ocean water?
temp. , salinity
differences in salinity and temperature causes water to…
rise and fall
the densest water is _____ and _____ salty
cold, more
The most buoyant water is _____ and _____ salty
warm, less
what is deep ocean water circulation referred to as?
thermohaline circulation
thermo has to do with the ______ of the water and haline has to do with the _______ of the water
temp., salinity
what is upwelling?
when water rises from depth to the surface
the movements (sinking and upwelling) of deep ocean currents circulate water ______ similar to a ______ _______
efficiently, conveyor belt
Deep ocean currents circulate water throughout our ocean basins so water does not become…
stagnant
why are there concerns that global warming could affect thermohaline circulation?
because as glaciers melt they add freshwater to the oceans, which decreases ocean salinity.
Ocean currents have a significant affect on _______ across the globe
climate
why do ocean currents affect climate?
because they do a really efficient job of transferring heat energy between low and high altitudes and low and high latitudes
ocean currents do an efficient job of transferring ____ energy between low and high _____ and low and high ______
heat, altitudes, latitudes
Hotter water from ______ latitudes ______ the atmosphere at higher latitudes
lower, warms
Overall oceans exert a moderating effect on ______
climate
basically oceans take the warm band of heat around the _______, and _____ that heat out north and south around the globe
equator, spread
why can oceans carry heat energy?
because water has a large heat storage capacity that allows heat to be stored in the water and carried over long distances.
water has a large heat _____ capacity that allows heat to be _____ in the water and _____ over long distances.
storage, stored, carried
the large heat storage capacities of the ocean allow for…
heat to be released in cold areas and stored in warm
