Oceans Chapter 9 Study Guide

Surface layer

Warmest ocean layer

Deep ocean layer

Coldest ocean layer

Thermocline layer

Ocean layer that sits between the warmest and coldest layer.

Thermocline

A layer in the ocean where the temperature decreases rapidly with increasing depth

Isothermal

A layer of water where the temperature is nearly uniform throughout

Less prominent

In higher altitudes thermoclines are…

Halocline

A distinct layer in a body of water where there is a rapid change in salinity with depth

Isohaline

An imaginary line connecting all parts of the ocean that have the same salinity

Decreases

When temperature increases, density...

Increases

When salinity and pressure increase, density…

Mixed layer

Least dense ocean layer

Deep layer

Most dense ocean layer

Pycnocline layer

Sits between the mixed and the deep layer where density increases rapidly with depth

Isopycnal

A surface or line in a fluid where the density is constant

Thermohaline circulation

Acts like a conveyor belt, transporting warm surface water from the equator to the poles and returning colder water to lower latitudes

Upwelling

An area where cold, nutrient-rich water from deeper parts of the ocean rises to the surface

Downwelling

An area in which surface water sinks due to increased density, often occurring in regions where currents converge or where cold water moves beneath warmer water

Water mass

A large body of oceanic water that is distinguished by a well-defined relationship between its temperature and salinity

Low salinity

Deep water does not form in the North Pacific because of...

Deepwater

Cooling and increased salinity cause...

North Atlantic Deep Water

NADW

Antarctic Deep Water

AADW

Antarctic Intermediate Water

AAIW

Mediterranean Intermediate Water

MIW