Thermohaline Circulation

• thermohaline circulation


  global ocean currents driven by differences in temperature and salinity- help redistribute heat over the world
• thermohaline circulation


  global oceanic flow that is driven by variations in temperature and salinity
• what is the thermohaline circulation known as?


  Great Ocean Conveyor Belt
• Role of thermohaline circulation in heat distribution


  ->primary mechanism of heat distribution

  ->moves warm water from equator towards the poles

  ->moves cold water from poles to the equator

  ->movement of heat influences weather patterns, ocean temp and wind currents
• Gulf Stream


  A warm ocean current that flows from the Gulf of Mexico northward through the Atlantic Ocean, warming Western Europe
• Impact of thermohaline circulation on clime regulation


  -cold deep currents, such as the North Atlantic deep water (NADW), sequester carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases from the atmosphere, helps mitigate climate change

  -ocean carbon storage

  -disruption can cause rapid warming or cooling
• Significance of salinity


  •areas of high salinity cause water to become denser and sink, driving the circulation

  •melting polar ice can reduce salinity and therefore the density, potentially slowing down or even halting the thermohaline circulation
• Surface current


  Wind-powered ocean current that moves parallel to Earth's surface. Top 10% of water
• Deep ocean currents


  convection currents occurring deep in the ocean- bottom 90% of water
• Role of thermohaline circulation in ocean life

  >nutrients brought up from the deep, during upwelling event, help support a variety of marine ecosystems

  >aids in spreading and migration of marine species across different parts of the ocean
• Modern technology


  -satellite data and oceanography buoys, give critical insite into how the thermohaline circulation works and how it's effected but climate change

  -vital for climate models, predictions and forming mitigation strategies against climate change