MAST382 Lecture Notes - Lecture 11: Ekman Spiral, Thermohaline Circulation, Ekman Transport
18 Oct 2016
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Document Summary
Water masses: volumes of water that have uniform properties (salinity, temp) Moving water masses are usually separated by different densities; tend to flow over each other layers. After flowing past each other, slow mixing occurs at interface between the water masses by diffusion. Turbulence increases as speed differential between the layers increases. Vertical motions of water masses take place by convection as water mass densities are changed. Winds primary direct energy source for currents that flow horizontally in ocean surface layers (less than 100 to 200m deep) Surface currents often called wind driven currents . Movements of water masses in deep layers of oceans caused by differences in density of water masses. Water density determined by temp and salinity. Solar energy drives winds; and through heating, evaporation dna rainfall controls ocean water density- sun is primary energy source for both surface and deep ocean currents. When winds blow across the ocean surface energy transferred from wind to surface water.
