MACS 302 Exam 1 Ocean/atm circulation

convection cell

density differences result in rising and/or falling convection currents

Geostrophic flow

state of balance between the Coriolis force and the pressure gradient force, where the flow is aligned perpendicular to the horizontal pressure gradient and its strength is proportional to the amplitude of that gradient

coriolis force

an apparent deflection that makes moving objects (like air, water, or planes) appear to curve from a straight path due to the Earth's rotation

• earth rotating faster at the equator

• Right: Northern Hemisphere

• Left: Southern Hemisphere

Ekman Transport

the net movement of water in the upper ocean (top ~100m) at roughly a 90-degree angle to the wind direction, caused by wind friction and the Earth's Coriolis effect

Ekman spiral where each layer moves slower and is deflected further (create up/downwelling)

thermocline

changing temperature transition layer in oceans

halocline

salinity changes with depth

pynocline

density changes rapidly with depth

driven by temperature (thermocline) and salinity (halocline) variations

Mixed layer

top layer of the ocean, typically 50–200 meters deep, characterized by nearly uniform temperature, density, and salinity

six major components of water

sodium (Na⁺)

sulfate (SO₄^2-)

Calcium (Ca²⁺)

Chloride (Cl^-)

Magnesium (Mg²⁺)

Potassium (K⁺)