ERTH 20 Lecture 6: Erth_20_
7 May 2020
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Document Summary
Geostrophic currents occur when the coriolis effect and gravity balance out. Western boundary currents are intensified due to the rotation of the earth. Co2 + h2o + nutrients yield organic material + shells + o2. When northern and southern trade winds move warm surface water away from the equator, cool water upwells from the deep ocean. As water moves away from the coast. Deep ocean water comes up and goes out to sea away from the coast. Surface water goes down at the coast and then gets pushed back out to sea in deep water. Water from different locations are called water masses and have characteristic temperatures and salinities. Also have characteristic amounts of nutrients, dissolved gases. Gulf stream brings salty water from the tropics northwards where it cools down, becomes dense and sinks. Very sensitive to change in ocean salinity such as sea ice formation, input of freshwater from land. Waters around antarctica are very cold but relatively fresh.
