Deep Ocean Circulation http nssdc gsfc nasa govplanetaryimageearthday

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Deep Ocean Circulation http: //nssdc. gsfc. nasa. gov/planetary/image/earth_day. jpg 1

Deep Ocean Circulation http: //nssdc. gsfc. nasa. gov/planetary/image/earth_day. jpg 1

Effect of Solar Radiation on Sea Surface Temperature Sunlight Modified image from Windows to

Effect of Solar Radiation on Sea Surface Temperature Sunlight Modified image from Windows to the Universe, http: //www. windows. ucar. edu 2

Sea Surface Temperature oceanworld. tamu. edu 3

Sea Surface Temperature oceanworld. tamu. edu 3

Surface Currents Sea to Air Heat Transfer 4

Surface Currents Sea to Air Heat Transfer 4

Deep Ocean Currents Driven by Density of Seawater hawaiianphotos. net melindawebster. com What effects

Deep Ocean Currents Driven by Density of Seawater hawaiianphotos. net melindawebster. com What effects water density? • Colder water Denser (to 4°C) • Saltier water Denser 5

Deep water forms when: http: //oceanexplorer. noaa. gov/ ● Surface water flows to the

Deep water forms when: http: //oceanexplorer. noaa. gov/ ● Surface water flows to the poles and gets colder ● When seawater freezes it leaves salt behind, increasing salinity ● Water becomes denser and sinks 6

Modeling cold salty water sinking 7

Modeling cold salty water sinking 7

Global Conveyor Belt Sinking Cold, Salty Water 8

Global Conveyor Belt Sinking Cold, Salty Water 8

Courtesy NASA/JPL-Caltech http: //sealevel. jpl. nasa. gov/index. html 9

Courtesy NASA/JPL-Caltech http: //sealevel. jpl. nasa. gov/index. html 9

Global Conveyor Belt Thermohaline Circulation – Thermo = temperature – Haline = salinity 10

Global Conveyor Belt Thermohaline Circulation – Thermo = temperature – Haline = salinity 10

Why is thermohaline circulation important? • Major influence on climate • Transfers heat from

Why is thermohaline circulation important? • Major influence on climate • Transfers heat from equator to poles • Nutrient cycling • Brings oxygen to deep ocean organisms 11

O 2 Warmed and lit by sun PRODUCED in surface ocean Mixed with atmosphere

O 2 Warmed and lit by sun PRODUCED in surface ocean Mixed with atmosphere (oxygen) Mixed Surface Ocean Boundary Deep Ocean O 2 Photosynthesis O 2 Less Nutrients Cold, Dark, No Photosynthesis, More Nutrients Oxygen (O 2) USED O 2 12

How will global climate change affect thermohaline circulation? • Melting of sea ice •

How will global climate change affect thermohaline circulation? • Melting of sea ice • Increased precipitation informify. com ØDecrease in salinity ØMay alter thermohaline circulation 13