DO NOW From what you learned and observed in the density investigation, hypothesize what you think happens in the red areas on the map shown, and why you think this (think about density of water and temperature!)
Objectives To understand role of density and movement of water in ocean circulation To apply this knowledge to your island
OCEAN CURRENTS
current mass of water moving from one place to another like a river within the ocean
importance: moves drifting organisms from place to place – plankton, disperses young carries eggs and larvae of organisms that have external fertilization brings food, oxygen carries away waste, pollutants
three types of currents surface currents thermohaline circulation (currents) wind-driven vertical currents (upwelling)
surface currents wind driven currents occur at surface horizontal currents caused by friction between wind and water - wind pushes water
surface currents Coriolis effect causes moving objects in northern hemisphere to veer clockwise causes moving objects in southern hemisphere to move counter- clockwise
surface currents Coriolis effect
surface currents gyre massive circular system of wind-driven surface currents cover whole oceans clockwise in Northern hemisphere counter-clockwise in Southern hemisphere
Surface currents Which current(s) directly affect the island? Where do you predict oil would travel if a spill occurred?
thermohaline circulation (currents) causes deep ocean circulation vertical currents Temperature ( thermo ) and salinity ( haline ) cause water density differences due to density differences, water masses rise and fall
thermohaline circulation (currents) REMEMBER THE DENSITY LAB? ↑ salinity = ↑ density = water mass sinks ↑ temp. = ↓ density = water mass floats
thermohaline circulation (currents) when combined with surface currents, results in conveyor belt movement of water around globe Wind blows surface currents to colder areas-> Water cools -> becomes dense and sinks -> Thermohaline circ. moves water to equator-> water warms and rises
wind driven vertical currents = upwelling wind blows, moves water away, causes new water to rise up to replace it
Areas of Upwelling= Increased productivity Colder, denser water from deep ocean is more nutrient rich than warmer water at surface. Areas of upwelling usually indicate higher primary production Higher primary production= more primary consumers, more secondary consumers, etc. 25% of global fish catch come from 5 areas of upwelling that equal 5% of ocean area!
Global Wind Patterns Based on the location of the island ( ), where on the island would upwelling occur? How would this affect marine ecosystems around the island?