LIFESCI 2H03 Lecture : ocean circulation.docx
11 Jun 2013
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Salinity total amount of solid material dissolved in water typical salinity is: 3. 5% or 35%0 chloride sodium, sulphate, magnesium, calcium and potassium. Melting of the snow contributes the lower salinity at the poles. Evaporation at the equator results in higher salinity. Deep ocean variation of salinity surface ocean: salinity is variable, lower at high latitudes rapid transition zone in terms of the salinity content then the profile because more similar. Deeper ocean: salinity is nearly the same. Pycnocline: abrupt change of density with depth temperature at depth is colder leading to increasing density. Especially true of mid latitude in the summer or tropical waters then there is a rapid transition between the surface and deeper waters rapid transition due to sunlight and mixing temperature is the dominant factor in density differences. Movement of ocean water: persistent and horizontal. At surface: driven by friction from prevailing winds. Brings excess warm water to the poles.
