How does density and temperature affect the motion of deep ocean currents?
The density of water can easily be altered by changing its temperature (cold water is more dense) or by changing the amount of dissolved substances such as salt in the water (salt water is more dense). Ocean water that is denser will sink, setting up the motion that drives deep ocean currents.
How does density affect water currents?
The Role of Density Denser water tends to sink, while less dense water tends to rise. Cold-water currents occur as the cold water at the poles sinks and slowly moves toward the equator.
What factors affect how deep currents flow?
Deep currents are driven by temperature and water density/salinity. Of course, deep currents impact surface currents, which carry warm water to the poles. Surface currents are also driven by global wind systems fueled by energy from the sun. Factors like wind direction and the Coriolis effect play a role.
How does density affect the circulation of the ocean?
The colder and saltier the ocean water, the denser it is. The greater the density differences between different layers in the water column, the greater the mixing and circulation. Density differences in ocean water contribute to a global-scale circulation system, also called the global conveyor belt.
What do density currents do?
When waters of two different densities meet, the dense water will slide below the less dense water. The differing densities cause water to move relative to one-another, forming a density current. This is one of the primary mechanisms by which ocean currents are formed.
What are the two causes of density in deep current waters?
What are the two causes of density in deep current waters? a. c. Oxygen content of the water and high temperatures .
What are three factors that control deep currents?
What are three factors that control deep currents? Density, salinity, and temperature; accept also the Coriolis effect.
What causes the deep-ocean currents?
As the seawater gets saltier, its density increases, and it starts to sink. Surface water is pulled in to replace the sinking water, which in turn eventually becomes cold and salty enough to sink. This initiates the deep-ocean currents driving the global conveyer belt.
How do density currents move?
When waters of two different densities meet, the dense water will slide below the less dense water. The differing densities cause water to move relative to one-another, forming a density current. This is one of the primary mechanisms by which ocean currents are formed.
What are deep density currents?
Deep water currents move very slowly, usually around 0.8-1.2 in (2-3 cm) per second. They dominate approximately 90% of the oceans' circulation. Water circulation of this type is called thermohaline circulation.
How does density create ocean currents?
Dense water sinks below less dense water. This is the principle that drives the deep ocean currents that circulate around the world. A combination of high salinity and low temperature near the surface makes seawater dense enough to sink into the deep ocean and flow along the bottom of the basins.
How do differences in density affect water flow?
Dense water sinks below less dense water. This is the principle that drives the deep ocean currents that circulate around the world. A combination of high salinity and low temperature near the surface makes seawater dense enough to sink into the deep ocean and flow along the bottom of the basins.
Does density affect surface currents?
The density of seawater plays a vital role in causing ocean currents and circulating heat because of the fact that dense water sinks below less dense. Salinity, temperature and depth all affect the density of seawater.
How does density affect surface currents?
As the seawater gets saltier, its density increases, and it starts to sink. Surface water is pulled in to replace the sinking water, which in turn eventually becomes cold and salty enough to sink. This initiates the deep-ocean currents driving the global conveyer belt.
How do deep ocean currents flow?
In contrast to wind-driven surface currents, deep-ocean currents are caused by differences in water density. The process that creates deep currents is called thermohaline circulation—“thermo” referring to temperature and “haline” to saltiness.