Set V pycnocline and coriolis
Describe the Coriolis effect in the N & S Hemisphere
Goes to the right in the north and it goes left in the south
Why is the presence/absence of a pycnocline important?
A pycnocline separates 2 distinct water masses and is a barrier to vertical mixing. It separates oxygen at the surface and nutrients at the bottom
What's the temp, direction of movement and moisture content of atmospheric high pressures? Atmospheric low pressures?
High= cold, air sinks/goes downward, dry air (not much moisture) Low= warm, air rises/goes up, moist air
Describe the pycnocline & where it occurs in the ocean
It's an area of rapidly changing density & occurs in the surface ocean
Compare & contrast surface & deep oc currents (cause, location, & speed)
Surface= caused bc of wind, are above pycnocline, speed is 10-20 km/hr (6-12mi) Deep= caused bc of changes in density & gravity. Are below pycnocline, speed is 10-20 km PER YEAR (6-12 mi)
Why is there such a close association between the curve showing sea water density variation with ocean depth AND the curve showing seawater temp variation with ocean depth?
Temperature is the most important element in determining seawater density. There is an inverse relationship between temp related to depth and density related to depth
What are the 3 factors affecting seawater density? Describe how each factor influences seawater density & which factor is MOST important.
Temperature, salinity, & pressure. An inc in pressure causes dec of density, An inc in salinity causes inc of density, an inc of pressure causes an inc of density. Temperature has the GREATEST influence on density because the range of temperature is greater than salinity. Pressure only plays a part when it's very high pressure, otherwise there's no strong effect.
What is the cause of the Coriolis effect?
The Earth's rotation to the East
How does the strength of the Coriolis effect change with latitude?
The poles have the greatest strength, the equator has no strength
Why is the ocean broken distinctly into surface & deep ocean?
The sun penetrates only the surface ocean & there's a lot of things that vary within the surface ocean but the deep ocean is more uniform
Where is there a pycnocline? Where is there NOT one?
There is a pycnocline in the surface ocean but not the deep ocean
Describe the thermocline, including where it occurs in the ocean
Thermocline is an area of rapidly changing temperature. It occurs in surface ocean
To which direction does Coriolis effect deflect objects in the N hemisphere?
To the right
What is a pycnocline? What about a thermocline? A halocline?
p= rapidly changing density. t= rapidly changing temp h= rapidly changing salinity
