MAST200 Lecture 7: The Oceans L7

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Circulation of the ocean have big effects. Small differences in density caused by differences in temperature and salinity. Major constituents: positive and negative ions that make up the salts. Non-major constituents: gases, nutrients, trace elements, organics. Solar radiation = source of energy to the earth. It can be absorbed, reflected and reradiated. Redistribution of this energy controls the structure and dynamics of the atmosphere and ocean. Insolation: amount of sunlight striking earth"s surface. Temperature is highest at the tropics, and moving away from the equator causes the temperature to drop. Seasonal shifts are significant in the north pacific and north atlantic, minor in ocean off. Ocean surface temperature strongly correlates with latitude. Due to solar energy reaching earth"s surface, or insolation. Isotherms = imaginary contour lines of equal temperature; generally trend east-west except where deflected by currents. Parallel to lines of latitude equator of the eastern sides. Currents move warm water poleward along western sides and cold water toward the.

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