Ocean Currents - Teacher Review
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Write the 28 words relating to the Global Conveyor Belt below
CONDUCTION
CONVECTION
CONVEYOR
CURRENT
DEEP
DENSITY
DUCK
ENERGY
FLOW
GLOBAL
GYRE
HALIDE
HEAT
HYPER
ICE
MELT
OCEAN
RADIATION
RISES
SALINE
SALT
SEA
SEAWATER
SINKS
SOLAR
SURFACE
TEMPERATURE
TRANSFER
Write the three main reasons why maintaining deep ocean current flow is important to our planet.
1. They move heat (and cold) about the surface of the planet to maintain a relatively constant
temperature in the atmosphere and hydrosphere.
2. They bring oxygen rich water up from the depths.
3. They bring nutrients up from the depths to feed krill that are the start of the marine food
chain.
Where do these currents begin to move? The Arctic and Antarctic Oceans
Explain the processes that drive these currents? Cold winds freeze out fresh water from seawater.
The remainder becomes hyper-saline, denser and sinks to start the current.
What happens to these deep currents when they reach tropical waters?
They are warmed by surface waters, become less dense, rise and mix with surface waters.
What effect might global warming have on these currents?
Global warming might melt polar ice and decrease the drive from freezing. Their flow might slow or
cease. Fishing fields will no longer receive their nutrients and their dependant industries will cease.
Any plants or animals dependant on them will suffer from a decreased food source.
An initiative supported by Woodside and ESWA