How the Earth Works: Hyrdrosphere & Crytosphere Flashcards
What drives the circulation of the surface ocean and the formation of major currents?
Wind patterns.
What influences ocean circulation?
- Coriolis effect
- Density gradients
- Tidal forces
What is the effect of ocean currents?
They re-distribute energy and materials across planet.
Define gyre.
A large system of rotating currents.
Describe gyres.
- Caused by wind, Coriolis effect and land masses.
- Water is relatively stationary and not well mixed.
- Floating debris accumulates within gyres.
- Critical for poleward heat re-distribution.
What drives thermohaline circulation?
Differences in density caused by temperature and salinity.
What are the key processes of the hydrologic cycle?
- Evaporation & transpiration
- Condensation
- Precipitation
- Interception
- Infiltration
- Percolation
- Runoff
- Storage
How much free water is in the ocean?
1.4 billion km3.
Describe the process of deep water formation.
- Density differences caused by temperature and salinity
- At high latitudes surface waters cool and/or get saltier
- This dense water sinks and flows down to equator forming the bottom layer of water in deep ocean basins.
What is upwelling?
- Result of downwelling (subsidence)
* Brings nutrients up to surface ocean contributing to ocean productivity.
What is Arctic freshening?
•Ice melts releasing fresh water into the ocean diluting it and causing it to become less dense.
What is Arctic freshening?
•Ice melts releasing fresh water into the ocean diluting it and causing it to become less dense.
