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Questions and Answers
What is a primary factor causing the lower salinity in the Arctic Ocean?
What is a primary factor causing the lower salinity in the Arctic Ocean?
What has been the average change in seawater pH since the industrial revolution?
What has been the average change in seawater pH since the industrial revolution?
Which component does NOT drive oceanic currents?
Which component does NOT drive oceanic currents?
Which phenomenon leads to increased salinity in specific ocean regions?
Which phenomenon leads to increased salinity in specific ocean regions?
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What percentage of total heat movement from low to high latitudes is accounted for by ocean currents?
What percentage of total heat movement from low to high latitudes is accounted for by ocean currents?
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What is the main role of ocean currents in terms of temperature distribution?
What is the main role of ocean currents in terms of temperature distribution?
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Which ocean currents are typically found on the east coast of continents?
Which ocean currents are typically found on the east coast of continents?
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What effect do gyres have on ocean current rotation?
What effect do gyres have on ocean current rotation?
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What characterizes upwelling zones in the ocean?
What characterizes upwelling zones in the ocean?
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Which statement about ocean currents is true regarding their location and impact?
Which statement about ocean currents is true regarding their location and impact?
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What is the approximate percentage of Earth's surface covered by oceans?
What is the approximate percentage of Earth's surface covered by oceans?
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Which zone of the ocean is known as the euphotic zone?
Which zone of the ocean is known as the euphotic zone?
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What is the typical salinity level of seawater?
What is the typical salinity level of seawater?
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Which of the following is NOT a source of ocean salinity?
Which of the following is NOT a source of ocean salinity?
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What percentage of atmospheric oxygen comes from photosynthesis in oceans?
What percentage of atmospheric oxygen comes from photosynthesis in oceans?
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How many ocean basins are recognized globally?
How many ocean basins are recognized globally?
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Which ocean depth zone is characterized by no light penetration?
Which ocean depth zone is characterized by no light penetration?
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What is the primary way oceans modify Earth’s climate and weather systems?
What is the primary way oceans modify Earth’s climate and weather systems?
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What primarily drives thermohaline circulation in the ocean?
What primarily drives thermohaline circulation in the ocean?
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Which ocean current flows around Antarctica?
Which ocean current flows around Antarctica?
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Which factor does NOT influence thermohaline circulation?
Which factor does NOT influence thermohaline circulation?
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What is the role of density differences in ocean currents?
What is the role of density differences in ocean currents?
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In the context of ocean circulation, what does 'upwelling' refer to?
In the context of ocean circulation, what does 'upwelling' refer to?
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Which of the following is a characteristic of polar ocean circulation?
Which of the following is a characteristic of polar ocean circulation?
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Why is thermohaline circulation crucial for ocean health?
Why is thermohaline circulation crucial for ocean health?
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What type of ocean current is primarily affected by the Coriolis effect?
What type of ocean current is primarily affected by the Coriolis effect?
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Study Notes
Oceanic Physical & Chemical Properties
- Oceans cover 71% of the Earth's surface and are made up of one world ocean with 5 ocean basins.
- Oceans regulate the atmosphere’s chemical composition with 70% of the oxygen in the atmosphere coming from photosynthesis in the oceans.
- Oceans modify Earth’s climate and weather systems.
- Approximately half the world's population depends on oceans as the main source of food.
Light Penetration Zones
- Oceans are divided into three zones based on depth and light level.
- Euphotic (sunlight) zone: The zone where sunlight penetrates.
- Dysphotoic (twilight) zone: The zone where little light penetrates.
- Aphotic (midnight) zone: The zone where no sunlight penetrates.
Ocean Salinity
- Ocean salinity is the concentration of dissolved minerals in water.
- The salinity of seawater is approximately 35 parts per thousand (3.5% of seawater by weight are salts).
- Salinity is measured in Practical Salinity Units (PSU) which are equal to parts per thousand (ppt).
- Sources of salinity in ocean water include runoff from the land, openings in the seafloor and hydrothermal vents.
Ocean Salinity Variations
- Salinity varies with temperature, evaporation, precipitation, and freshwater input from rivers.
- Salinity is higher in areas with high evaporation rates.
- Salinity is lower in areas with high precipitation and freshwater input.
- The Arctic Ocean has lower salinity due to freshwater from melting ice and rivers, high precipitation, and low evaporation.
Ocean Acidity
- The average pH of ocean water is 8.16 which is alkaline.
- The oceans absorb atmospheric CO2 which creates carbonic acid (H2CO3), decreasing the pH of seawater.
- There has been a 30% increase in seawater acidity since the industrial revolution, approximately 200 years ago.
Oceanic Circulation
- Oceanic circulation is essential in sustaining global energy balance and exchanges heat between low and high latitudes.
- Ocean currents are driven by wind, density differences, Coriolis effect, tides, and the shape of ocean basins.
Surface Ocean Currents
- Currents help move warmer water towards the poles and cooler water (that has upwelled from below) towards the equator.
- Warm currents are usually found on the east coast of continents, while cold currents are found on the west coast.
Gyres
- Gyres are large circular currents that are driven by wind and the Coriolis effect.
- Major gyres include the North Pacific, South Pacific, North Atlantic, South Atlantic, and Indian Ocean gyres.
- Gyres rotate in a clockwise direction in the Northern Hemisphere and counterclockwise in the Southern Hemisphere.
Upwelling Zones
- Upwelling zones are areas where deep, cold water rises to the surface.
- Upwelling zones are found on the west side of continents and are productive fishing areas.
Great Ocean Conveyer
- The Great Ocean Conveyer is also known as the Thermohaline Circulation and driven by density differences caused by temperature and salinity.
Antarctic and Arctic Circulation
- The Antarctic Circumpolar Current is the largest current in the world and flows eastward around Antarctica.
- The Arctic Ocean has complex circulation patterns with a strong influence from the Atlantic Ocean.
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Description
Explore the essential characteristics of oceans, including their physical and chemical properties, light penetration zones, and salinity. This quiz examines how oceans influence climate, weather, and sustain human life. Test your knowledge about the complexities of our world's oceans.
