Earth Science, Tarbuck Chap 14 Flashcards
What is Salinity
The amount of dissolved solids to liquid
Describe precipitation and evaporation rates of subtropical regions
Low precipitation and High evaporation
Generally, does salinity change based on ocean depth?
Because the ocean is well mixed, the relative abundances
of the major components in seawater are essentially constant, no matter where the ocean is sampled.
Which Ocean is the saltiest
Atlantic, due to high evaporation
What is the Thermocline
The layer of ocean water between
about 300meters (980 feet) and 1000 meters (3300 feet),
where temperature changes rapidly with depth,
Difference between temperature gradients of water columns in High vs Low Latitude
Water columns in high latitude usually show a temperature gradient that doesn’t that much, as it is much colder and there is less sunlight to heat the surface of the water. In high latitude areas, there is no thermocline.
Water columns in Low latitude usually show a drastic temperature gradient due to there being a lot of sunlight toward the surface, there is a thermocline.
Density difference between Fresh and salt water
Saltwater is denser due to having more dissolved materials in the water.
Relation of Salinity and Density
Higher Salinity means higher Density due to more dissolved solids
Relation of Temperature an Density
Higher temperatures means lower density due to the expansion of water
What is the Pycnocline
layer between about
300meters (980 feet) and
1000 meters (3300 feet), where
density changes rapidly with
depth
Where is the pycnocline absent
high latitudes, as water is usually uniformly cold
Why do high latitude ocean regions have good vertical mixing of water
Water is usually uniformly dense no matter the elevation, allowing for good mixing
What is the plankton classification of Marine organisms
All organisms that drift with ocean currents
What is the Nekton Classification of Marine Organisms
All animals capable of moving independently of ocean currents, by swimming or other means of propulsion
What is Phytoplankton
Algae
