Oceanography Chapter 5 Quiz

A measure of the energy due to the motion of molecules in the ocean. It's measured in Kelvin (K), where 0 K equals -273.15 °C.

A device invented by Fridtjof Nansen in 1910 initially utilized a metal bottle and minimum thermometers attached to a cable for ocean temperature measurement, which evolved to the Knudsen bottle in 1921. This device was used extensively until the 1960s.

A method of measuring ocean temperature using instruments placed on satellites or aircraft. These instruments measure the radiation emitted from the ocean's surface and use that to estimate temperature.

A measure of the salt content in a given amount of water, expressed as a percentage or parts per thousand (ppt). It's crucial for understanding ocean currents and density.

A method of measuring salinity in the field. Water samples are collected and their salt content is analyzed in a lab.

Measuring salinity using instruments placed on satellites or aircraft. These instruments detect changes in the microwave radiation emitted by the ocean surface, which can be used to estimate salinity.

A measure of how heavy a given volume of water is. It's influenced by temperature and salinity. Denser water sinks, less dense water rises. This process is essential for ocean circulation.

A measure of ocean water temperature adjusted to the surface pressure. This is essential for studying ocean currents because it accounts for the effect of pressure on temperature.

A device used to collect ocean water samples at specific depths.

A type of thermometer that records the temperature at a specific depth and retains it for later viewing.

A method of measuring water temperature by recording the temperature of water used to cool ship engines.

The temperature of the ocean's surface.

Electromagnetic radiation emitted by objects with a temperature greater than absolute zero.

The temperature of the top layer of the ocean, measured by microwave satellite sensors.

Instruments used to measure SST from space.

A circular frame that holds multiple Niskin bottles for collecting ocean water samples.

Sodium (Na+) and chloride (Cl-) are the most abundant ions in seawater.

The concentration of dissolved ions in seawater is relatively uniform throughout most of the ocean's water below 4 degrees Celsius, typically ranging from 34.60 to 34.80 parts per thousand.

Rivers contribute dissolved materials to the ocean, initially freshening the near-surface water. Over time, these dissolved materials become incorporated into seawater, increasing its salinity.

Variations in salinity are small but important for understanding ocean circulation and climate.

A network of autonomous, robotic instruments deployed in the global ocean to collect oceanographic data, such as temperature, salinity, and pressure.

The depth at which an Argo float collects a profile of ocean properties like temperature and salinity. It can be adjusted to collect data from different depths.

The regular cycle of an Argo float, involving a descent to a specific depth, a period of drifting, measurement collection during ascent, and data transmission to satellites.

The collection of ocean properties (temperature, salinity, pressure) taken at different depths by an Argo float, forming a vertical profile.

The long-term average of salinity measurements at a specific depth, often extracted from Argo float data, illustrating the typical saltiness of a particular ocean area.

The tendency for ocean surface temperatures to be warmer near the equator and cooler towards the poles.

A pattern of relatively warm ocean currents found along the western boundaries of ocean basins, driven by Earth's rotation and wind patterns.

The influence of Earth's rotation on moving objects, causing a deflection to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere.

Large-scale circular patterns of ocean currents, driven by wind and the Coriolis effect.

Warm, deep, narrow, and fast-flowing ocean currents found on the west side of ocean basins. They carry warm water from the tropics towards the poles.

Shallow, broad, and slow-flowing ocean currents found on the east side of ocean basins. They cool the eastern coasts of continents.

The phenomenon where cool water from deeper layers rises to the surface due to wind pushing surface water away from the coast.

The accumulation of energy on the western side of ocean basins due to the Earth's rotation, resulting in strong currents.

The difference between the temperature recorded by a tool and the actual ocean temperature due to factors like the tool's own heat.

The temperature of the ocean's surface.

A T-S diagram plots temperature against salinity, allowing for the identification of different water masses.

A pattern of water circulation driven by differences in density, influenced by temperature and salinity.

Water masses are distinguished by their temperature and salinity characteristics.

A specific area of the ocean characterized by unique temperature and salinity properties.

The global distribution of surface temperature is influenced by latitude, with cooler waters at higher latitudes and warmer waters near the equator.

Salinity has a general global distribution, with higher values in mid-latitudes, lower values at high latitudes and the equator.

The global distribution of salinity and temperature is affected by ocean gyres, rainfall, river discharge, evaporation, and sea ice & iceberg melt.