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Thermohaline Circulation
It is fascinating how currents move a thousand meters below the surface of the water. The ocean currents circulate through the influence of water density, where the density of water is determined by water salinity and temperature in a process known as thermohaline circulation (Waldman, Robiny, page 8407-8415). The oceans at the polar region of the earth consist of cold water, which turns into sea ice after being exposed to freezing temperature. The situation, however, makes the water more saline since more salt is left on the base after the water forms the ice. The higher the salinity, the higher the density, making the surface water to be pulled bellow and sink, hence causing the deep-ocean currents.
The differences in densities make the water form layers, where the coldest water remains at the bottom since it is denser, and the warm water remains at the surface. However, the movements of the density lawyers, which are determined by temperature, creates deep water circulation, which also depends on salinity (Waldman, Robiny, page 8407-8415). The sinking and rising of water create a deeper ocean current, which is the thermohaline process. However, thermohaline circulation is a process controlled by the temperature and salinity of water, which is considered a slow process, although it manages to transport nutrients, solids, and heat to a long distance. The thermohaline circulation process pushes the warmer surface waters to the opposite side, from the subtropics to moderate climate in the polar region and coastal areas.
The thermohaline circulation process is essential, especially in determining the climate patterns of various regions through heat transportation. However, the circulation of water is driven by wind, similar to other ocean current circulation, although the process is considered sluggish, which moves with a speed of one centimeter per second (Waldman, Robiny, page 8407-8415). The thermohaline circulation of ocean current occurs n the Atlantic ocean, where the upper part of the process carries warmer water, which is the top ocean water, which appears to be warmer towards the north through the sub-tropics and tropics. On the other side, the deeper waters, which are colder and dense polar waters, are carried towards the south.
According to several research, the thermohaline circulation changes the upper ocean water into deep waters of 15×106 m3 s−1. The upper part of the thermohaline circulation consists of a mean temperature of fifteen to twenty-degree celcious. During the flow through the subtropics and tropics, the water becomes more saline due to the high evaporation rate compared to precipitation (Waldman, Robiny, page 8407-8415). The lower part of the water taken to the other side through the Atlantic, however, cools to eleven point five degrees Celsius, roughly the water carried to the north, hence making the water denser to sink.
The thermohaline circulation of water has a significant effect on climate change, especially in increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide, absolute humidity, increased precipitation, and water supply in the arctic regions. Thermohaline circulation has been reported to be a significant cause of climate change in the future. According to scientists, thermohaline circulation has a significant impact on climate change because it is driven by temperature and salinity (Waldman, Robiny, page 8407-8415). According to scientific research, thermohaline circulation has become slower over the last decade with fifteen percent, wherein the case of a slower rate, the winters could be significantly colder, while summers extremely hotter. The changes in temperatures may change the rainfall patterns, causing too much rain or too low levels of rainfall, leading to a riser in ocean water levels.
Work Cited
Waldman, Robin, et al. “Overturning the Mediterranean thermohaline circulation.” Geophysical Research Letters 45.16 (2018): 8407-8415.
