Describe the circulation of deep ocean water

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For every liter of water that sinks from the surface into the deep ocean, a liter of deep water must return to the surface somewhere else. However, it is difficult to identify specifically where this vertical flow to the surface is occurring. It is generally believed that it occurs as a gradual, uniform upwelling throughout the ocean basins and that it may be somewhat greater in low-latitude regions, where surface temperatures are higher. Alternatively, scientific studies on turbulent mixing rates between deep-ocean and surface waters in the Southern Ocean suggest that deep water traveling across rugged bottom topography is a major factor in producing the upwelling that returns deep water toward the surface.

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

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Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

Which of the following allows cetaceans to remain submerged for extended periods of time?

A) Some have less red blood cells per unit of blood volume as terrestrial animals. B) They are faster breathers than terrestrial animals. C) They can extract almost 90% of the oxygen in each breath. D) They have a smaller blood volume per unit of body mass. E) They have less myoglobin in their muscle tissue as terrestrial animals.

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

Which of the following is not a type of evidence left behind by glaciers?

A) Scratched and polished bedrock B) Scattered stones (dropstones) in fine-grained sediment C) Changes in the isotopic compositions of marine shells D) V-shaped valleys E) All of these are evidence left behind by glaciers.

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

Four of the following are benefits that coral reefs provide. Which one is the exception?

A. They provide significant free oxygen. B. They serve as natural barriers. C. They protect coastlines from erosion. D. They provide habitats for one-quarter of all marine organisms. E. They provide one-tenth of the global fish catch.

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences