Vertical Circulation
Density in the ocean is primarily determined by: temperature and salinity.
Water that sinks:
- Colder water has a higher density than warm water.
- Saltier water has a higher density than fresh water.
Water that sinks:
- Rises over the whole ocean.
- Is found in a few and small places near the poles.
- Moves quickly (water will sink in a few days or weeks).
- It takes about 1000 years for water to rise from the bottom of the ocean to the surface.
- Transport heat around the globe.
- Affect our climate.
- Bring nutrients from the bottom of the ocean to the surface.
- If water took longer to rise, the surface could be WARMER
- Where the water came from.
- The ocean currents.
- How the ocean water is mixed.