I. The Oceans -- an introduction

A. Why is Antarctica an "Icehouse"?

1. The effect of wind on surface water

2. Upwelling and downwelling currents

a. New Jersey

b. Heat pumps

c. Antarctic Ice Age

B. Surface currents -- global circulation in the oceans

II. Essential variables in the ocean-climate-biosphere system

A. Temperature

1. Sinks and reservoirs -- energy content and controls, comparison of ocean temp variation to land

2. Temperature and depth

3. Temperature and latitude

4. Surface currents and energy transfer

B. Salinity

1. Present conditions (3.5%)

a. Effect of wind belts

b. vs. depth and latitude

 

C. Important atmospheric gases in the ocean

1. O2

a. Sources

b. Sinks

c. Distribution relative to depth

2. CO2 (as above)

D. Deep ocean waters and energy and material transport/storage in the ocean

1. Formation of "Bottom Waters"

a. Process

b. Climatic implications

2. Model predictions for the interuption of Bottom Water

formation.

3. Geologic evidence for past interuptions (The Younger Dryad)

 

Objectives:

1. Use the world map to identify the various ocean basins. Note areas of deep and shallow ocean.

2. Describe the roll of density of water in the formation of vertical ocean currents. Relate vertical currents to the movement of energy and materials in the ocean.

3. Sketch a graph of temperature vs. depth of the ocean. Discuss the two trends that are observed in the graph and propose a reason that might explain each trend.

4. Discuss the variation of temperature of the ocean vs latitude. Decribe the effect of surface currents on the pattern of variation.

5. Although salinity of the is relatively constant 3.5 grams/liter of sea water (.35%), salinity of surface water is dependent on climatic conditions. Explain why highest salt content is found between 20 and 30° N or S latitude.

6. The ocean can seen as a natural heat pump or refrigerator. At present it is in heat pump mode, by moving cold water to the bottom of the ocean, it leaves more energy in the atmosphere. Use the First Law to predict the effect that an interuption of vertical currents might have on global climate.

7. Vertical currents are also important for mixing materials in the ocean. Distribution of materials at different depths are controlled by water movement, gravity, and biological activity. Sketch graphs showing distribution patterns for temp, O2 and CO2 and provide an explanation for each trend that is observed in your graphs.

8. CO2 distribution can play an important role in climate control. Presently the average ocean CO2 concentration is controlled by the formation of deep waters. If that process were to be interupted, what would happen to CO2 concentration in the oceans and what effect would that have on global temperature?

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