exploring oceans 1b variations in salinity, temperature PSD

What are some examples of areas with high salinity

Red Sea—> most saline open sea (around 40ppt)

North Atlantic Ocean

Subtropical regions- between 20-30 degrees north and south

Due to high evaporation rates

Area of low salinity

Ocean around Antarctica has a low salinity just below 34ppt and around the arctic it is down to 30ppt in places

Thawing icebergs add freshwater

What is the halocline and what depth is it

The rapid change in salinity close to the surface

Extends at a depth between 300-750m

Thermocline definition

Sharp change in temp with depth from just below the surface

Ocean currents responsible in circulation of North Atlantic

Gulf Stream (Florida—> Northwast)

North Atlantic drift (extension of Gulf Stream, Norwegian coast—> Arctic)

Cold Labrador current (north of the northwest Atlantic)

Gulf Stream (western coast of Greenland)

Mediterranean water passing through straits of Gibraltar, 13 degrees, 37.3ppt (warm and saline)—> North Atlantic