EAS100 Lecture Notes - Lecture 15: Dissolved Load, Shortwave Radio, Ekman Transport

• School: University of Alberta
• Department: Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
• Course: EAS100
• Professor: Jeffrey Kavanaugh

Document Summary

Most of the motion exibited by fluids over the earth"s surface is by energy from the sun. Geometric spreading: light coming in at 45 degrees is spread over twice the area. Uneven heating of the earth"s surface (energy surplus/deficit) leads to pressure gradients that drive winds. On smaller scale, these gradients also affect regional weather. Mainly, surface patterns of wind drive the upper ocean currents. Total salinity (proportion of dissoved salts) is ~ 3. 5% Ca,hco3 extracted by living organisims and deposited as limestone. So4 sulphate converted to sulphide and deposited with decaying organic matters. Salinity was probably lower early in earth history. In proterozoic time, oxygen content of seawater was probably lower. More iron - demonstrated by iron-banded rock formations. Sharp change in temperature (thermocline) and salinity (halocline) just below the surface. ~ 100m 12c -> 4c and 32. 5 -> 35. Pycnocline is the resulting zone of rapid density change. Effects the poles most strongly, no effect at equator.