Chapter 8 Ocean Circulation

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts from Chapter 8 on Ocean Circulation.

Ocean currents

Movements of water within the ocean, which can be classified into surface currents, deep water currents, and others.

Water mass

A volume of water with distinct physical and chemical properties.

Thermohaline circulation

Deep water circulation driven by differences in water density, influenced by temperature and salinity.

Ekman transport

The net movement of water resulting from the balance between wind stress and the Coriolis effect.

Geostrophic currents

Currents that flow horizontally in response to horizontal pressure gradients caused by variations in sea surface height.

Coriolis effect

The deflection of moving objects caused by the rotation of the Earth.

Upwelling

The process by which deep, cold, and nutrient-rich water rises to the surface.

Downwelling

The process by which surface water sinks due to convergence, often leading to lower productivity.

Eddies

Small, swirling currents within a larger body of water that can influence local currents and mixing.

Pycnocline

A layer in the ocean where water density changes rapidly with depth.

Meridional Overturning Circulation

A large-scale ocean circulation driven by differences in temperature and salinity, contributing to global heat transport.