Seawater Properties & Processes
This measure of dissolved salt content averages about 35‰ in the ocean.
salinity
hese large surface-current loops are driven by global wind belts and Earth’s rotation.
gyres
This “global conveyor belt” is driven by density differences in seawater.
thermohaline circulation
These waves form when wind blows across the water’s surface.
wind waves
The twice-daily rise and fall of sea level is primarily caused by this celestial body.
the Moon
The process by which cold, salty water sinks in polar regions, helping drive thermohaline circulation.
deep-water formation
The deflection of moving water due to Earth’s rotation is known as this effect.
What is the Coriolis effect?
ENSO stands for this phenomenon affecting global ocean–atmosphere systems.
El Niño–Southern Oscillation
The depth at which wave orbital motion becomes negligible is approximately this fraction of the wavelength.
½ the wavelength
This type of tide has one high and one low tide per day.
diurnal tide
This gas is more soluble in colder water, making high-latitude oceans important sinks for it.
CO₂
This western boundary current is the fastest and most well-known in the North Atlantic.
Gulf Stream
During La Niña, upwelling off this country strengthens significantly.
Peru
These long-period waves generated by seismic activity can travel across entire oceans.
tsunamis
When the Sun, Moon, and Earth are aligned, this type of tide occurs.
spring tides
The rapid change in temperature with depth creates this boundary layer.
thermocline
Converging Ekman transport in subtropical gyres causes the formation of this “hill” of water.
Ekman convergence / geostrophic doming
This mid-depth circulation cell in the southern hemisphere is critical for distributing carbon and nutrients.
Antarctic Intermediate Water (AAIW)
In shallow water, wave speed depends primarily on this physical parameter.
water depth
The difference in height between consecutive high and low tides is known as this.
tidal range
Light penetration in the upper ocean defines this biologically productive zone.
euphotic (photic) zone
The angle between surface winds and the net direction of water movement is approximately this many degrees.
90° (but 45° for the uppermost layer)?
he deep water mass formed in the North Atlantic is specifically called this.
North Atlantic Deep Water (NADW)
The bending of waves as they approach shore at an angle is called this.
wave refraction
The tidal bulge on the side opposite the Moon is created primarily by this force.
centrifugal force from the Earth–Moon system