Deep Ocean Circulation

What are two features of densest waters?

1. Cold

2. Salty

What are two questions that have to be asked to figure out where deep water forms?

1. Where at the surface is the ocean cold enough?

2. Where at the surface is the ocean salty enough?

What is the temperature of the deep ocean?

Between 0 and 5 degrees celsius

Where are temperatures of 0-5 degrees celsius found?

1. In the arctic

2. Around Antarctica (southern ocean around Antarctica)

(found at high latitudes)

What salinity is present at high latitudes?

35 ppt

What must occur in cold water for deep water to form?

Relatively high salinity

Where is high salinity water found?

1. Around Antarctica

2. North Atlantic (around Greenland)

(at high latitudes)

What are the 2 sites of deep water formation?

1. Southern Ocean

2. North Atlantic

Why is North Pacific not a site of deep water formation?

This is because it is too fresh. The Pacific Ocean is ringed by high mountains. When weather systems pick up moisture off of the Pacific and it gets transported over the continent the air rises over these mountains and it rains like crazy on the ocean site of the mountain. This is sending water right back into the pacific and keeps it fresh

Why is The Atlantic not fresh like the North Pacific?

This is because we don’t have as many high mountains so weather systems can make it much further inland before they give up their moisture. This moisture also doesn’t get directly sent back to the North Atlantic as it is either put into the high arctic or Mediterranean Sea system.