DENSITY DRIVEN CIRCULATION Flashcards
1
Q
what does seawater density depend on
A
temperature and salinity
2
Q
what surface processes control temperature and salinity?
A
evaporation, precipitation
3
Q
what is a water mass?
A
seawater has different characteristics. acts as labels or tags to show origin of different water masses.
4
Q
what is thermohaline circulation?
A
dense water sinks and moves under less dense water
5
Q
process of thermohaline circulation?
A
- temperature decreases with latitude and depth
- cold air cools surface ice formation raises salinity
- dense water sinks and spreads throughout ocean basins
- mixing raises deep water upwards to surface
- solar heating offsets high evaporation
- thin lens of warm salty water
6
Q
where do deep water masses form?
A
relatively shallow basins
polar seas
7
Q
A
