salinity, ocean circulation, glacier and pack ice

Question 1

factors influencing water temperature

Answer 1

seasons, latitude(closer to equater=warmer), the depth(deeper=colder)

Question 2

why are oceans important

Answer 2

because since they absorb heat they play an essential rle in regulating climate by standardizing the temperature of the earth

Question 3

what is salinity

Answer 3

the quantity of salt in a solution

Question 4

where in the ocean is the water less saline and why

Answer 4

near the poles of the earth, because that is where the fresh water ice caps are melting thus diluting the salt concentration

Question 5

where does the hydrosphere obtain its salt from

Answer 5

the weathering of the lithosphere(dissolved minerals)

Question 6

High salinity=

Answer 6

high density solution

Question 7

low salinity=

Answer 7

low density solution

Question 8

what is an ocean current

Answer 8

the movement of seawater in a certain direction

Question 9

what are the two types or marine currents

Answer 9

surface currents(wind), deep currents(density)

Question 10

explain the density of water depending on its temperature

Answer 10

cold water sinks- dense
hot water rises-less dense

Question 11

what are surface currents

Answer 11

they are generated by the wind+tides(top 400m of ocean water)
ex. gulf stream

Question 12

what are deep currents

Answer 12

they are caused by the difference in density (thermohaline) salinity and temperature)
they ensure vertical circulation between the different layers of the ocean(800m below surface)

Question 13

what is thermohaline

Answer 13

combination of surface and deep currents creates ocean circulation acts like “conveyer belt” of both temperature regulation and salinit distribution. this process mixes water around the world thus regulates the earths climate and overall temperature
ex. gulf stream carries warm salty water of atlantic up to east coast

Question 14

pack ice

Answer 14

pack ice forms when the surface of water freezes due to cold temperatures and breaks into sheets this is slightly salty ice floating on the ocean near the poles (brackish water=less salt than ocean)

Question 15

glaciers

Answer 15

glaciers are formed by compressing snow on land

Question 16

icebergs

Answer 16

broken pieces of glaciers that fall into the water

Question 17

impact of melting ice

Answer 17

thermohaline currents are disturbed by melting pack ice, icebergs, and glaciers

Question 18

impact of melting glaciers

Answer 18

rise in sea level since when it starts to melt it breaks off into the ocean
reduction of reflectivity (albedo)

Question 19

impact of melting pack ice

Answer 19

1.there is less salt so the water doesnt sink as much because it is less dense than ocean water which causes change in thermohaline circulation thus worsening climate change
2. less surface area to reflect sun light away and more heat is absorbed by the ocean (albedo)
3. loss of habitat for polar bears and seals(cant move around and hunt)

Question 20

difference between pack ice and glaciers

Answer 20

glaciers are formed on land(continent) ice pack float on water(ocean)

Question 21

tie everything together

Answer 21

The melting of glaciers, ice floes and pack ice reduces the albedo effect. This gradual disappearance of snow and ice decreases the amount of solar radiation reflected by the Earth’s surface. As a result, the Earth’s surface absorbs even more energy, contributing to a further rise in temperature. In addition, melting glaciers cause sea levels to rise and lower the salinity of the oceans, which in turn disrupts the thermohaline circulation. Melting permafrost causes landslides and releases large quantities of methane
CH4 increasing its concentration in the atmosphere and reinforcing the greenhouse effect even further.

Question 22

evaporation at equater

Answer 22

increase density(salt)

Question 23

melting glaciers at pole

Answer 23

decrease density(fresh)

Question 24

what is albedo effect

Answer 24

there is a decrease in the albedo effect since glaciers and pack ice are melting allowing less reflective surface making the ocean absorb more heat