A: It is driven by density gradients, which are affected by salinity and temperature, with cold water and water with higher salt concentrations being more dense
The two characteristics of water that combine to form a thermohaline current are temperature and salinity. As water becomes cold and more saline, it becomes denser and sinks to the ocean floor, driving the vertical circulation of the ocean known as the thermohaline circulation.
Salinity affects thermohaline circulation by influencing the density of seawater. Higher salinity increases water density, promoting sinking of cold, dense water in polar regions. Temperature influences this circulation by controlling the density of water - colder water is denser and more likely to sink. Both factors work together to drive the global thermohaline circulation system.
thermohaline
The term thermohaline circulation ( THC ) refers to the part of the large-scale ocean circulation that is driven by global density gradients created by surface heat and freshwater fluxes
Another name for thermohaline circulation is the ocean conveyor belt. This circulation pattern involves the movement of water around the world's oceans based on differences in temperature and salinity.
A thermohaline current is affected by differences in water temperature and salinity. These differences drive the circulation of deep ocean waters around the globe, transporting heat and nutrients to different regions and influencing climate patterns.
Thermohaline circulation is driven by changes in temperature and salinity of ocean water. Cold, dense water sinks in the polar regions due to its high salinity and low temperature, driving the deep ocean currents that help regulate the global climate by redistributing heat and nutrients around the world.
"Thermo" in "thermohaline" refers to heat or temperature. "Thermohaline" describes ocean currents driven by differences in temperature and salinity.
Deep ocean circulation(90% of ocean water) is caused by differences in temperature, salinity and suspended load. It is referred to as "Thermohaline"- meaning heat and salt- circulation.
The driving force of deep-ocean circulation is primarily the sinking of cold, dense water at high latitudes due to its higher density. This process is known as thermohaline circulation, where temperature and salinity differences create variations in water density, causing water masses to sink and drive the global ocean circulation.
Deep ocean circulation(90% of ocean water) is caused by differences in temperature, salinity and suspended load. It is referred to as "Thermohaline"- meaning heat and salt- circulation.
Temperature, salinity, and density are factors that form thermohaline circulation, which drives the global ocean currents. Temperature affects the water's density, with colder water being denser. Salinity also plays a role, with higher salinity making water more dense. Together, these factors influence the movement of water around the world's oceans.