The Restless Oceans

The Restless OceansThe Restless Oceans

23.523.5

Explain how the properties of ocean water change with depth.

Atmosphere & Ocean Atmosphere & Ocean CirculationCirculation

► Atmospheric Atmospheric CirculationCirculation Depends on densityDepends on density

►Ocean Surface Ocean Surface CirculationCirculation Depends on the windDepends on the wind

►Deep Ocean Deep Ocean CirculationCirculation Depends on densityDepends on density

Why is Ocean Circulation Why is Ocean Circulation Important?Important?

► Transport ~ 20% of Transport ~ 20% of latitudinal heatlatitudinal heat Equator to polesEquator to poles

► Transport nutrients Transport nutrients and organismsand organisms

► Influences weather Influences weather and climateand climate

► Influences commerceInfluences commerce

Ocean Circulation Ocean Circulation

Distinguish between surface currents, deep currents, and upwelling.

Wind-drive ocean surface Wind-drive ocean surface currentscurrents

Wind driven surface currents

• How fast? A few miles/hr (Gulf Stream off of Miami = 4.5 mph)

• How much? Total water in ocean surface circulation = about 100 Amazon Rivers (20 million m3/s).

Sea Surface TemperatureSea Surface Temperature

http://www.ldeo.columbia.edu/dees/ees/climate/slides/sst_march.gif

Ocean SalinityOcean Salinity

http://www.ldeo.columbia.edu/dees/ees/climate/slides/sal_march.gif

•http://ingrid.ldgo.columbia.edu/

Equatorial to polar heat transport and Equatorial to polar heat transport and water flowwater flow

Ocean – Atmosphere Ocean – Atmosphere CirculationCirculation