Deep Ocean Currents

Name:                                                                             Per:                            Date:

Intro and Purpose: So far in Environmental Earth Science, you learned how prevailing winds cause the ocean surface currents, how changes in prevailing winds lead to El Nino and La Nina, and how wind causes the waves that shape and change the shoreline. You  learned how the position of the Moon in relation to the Earth and Sun causes different levels of tides during each month and why this is critical to understand the effects of storm surges, something you learned about in the last Section of the course. You will soon begin to learn how the interior of the planet shapes the sea floor, something you will study more in the next Section of this course.

This assignment introduces the deep ocean circulation system of the world's oceans that is driven by differences in density. In the Atmosphere Section of this class, you learned that the circulation of the air is caused by differences in temperature creating convection currents of rising and sinking air and the wind systems that connect them. In a similar way, vertical movement in the ocean is caused by differences in temperature, but in addition, ocean water density (convection) currents can be caused by differences in salinity (saltiness). This movement is called thermohaline circulation.

Objectives: When you are done with this assignment, its related homework and studying of this material for the test, you should be able to: 1. Explain the circulation pattern of the deep ocean.  2. Describe how ocean currents affect climate. 3. Describe how ocean currents are affected by climate. 4. Speculate on effects of changes to deep water circulation.

  Instructions for Research Reading:

1. Read through the following list of questions.
2. Take notes as you read the following articles next to each question. Start with the article The Great Ocean Conveyer Belt at http:// www.enviroliteracy.org/ article.php/ 545.html. 3. Choose more in-depth readings from (1)the Wikipedia article on Thermohaline Circulation, or (2)"Shutdown of circulation pattern...", or (3)"Arctic Rivers..." , or (4) " Freshwater Runoff Into Arctic On the Rise..." or from (5) from "Abrupt Climate Change" (start with the FAQs - Common Misconceptions.
4. Look for recent news articles such as "Has An Ocean Circulation Collapse Been Triggered?" or from "global conveyor belt and thermohaline circulation system search".
5. Include in your notetaking where you located information so you can find it later. DO NOT answer the questions as you go along, wait until you have finished the entire reading assignment.
6. After completing the reading, review the information you noted for each question, then answer it.
7. You may work with one or two partners by comparing notes, sources and phrasing answers.

Task:

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