· 9. Compare the patterns of the thermocline and halocline in the high latitudes
ID: 109400 • Letter: #
Question
· 9. Compare the patterns of the thermocline and halocline in the high latitudes and low latitudes (i.e. Tropics).
· a. The halocline (near the surface) in the low latitudes (i.e. Tropics & the Equator) exhibits a decrease/increase (choose one) in salinity. Explain. (2 points)
· b. The surface salinity in the Tropics (around 30 degrees N and S) is higher/lower (choose one) than the surface salinity at the equator. Explain. (2 points) [Hint: consider the primary factors that influence sea surface salinity and how they change with latitude]
TEMPERATURE Low High Surface mixed zone Transition zone High latitude Low latitude Deep zoneExplanation / Answer
9. Question: Compare the patterns of thermocline and halocline in the high and low latitudes.
Answer:
THERMOCLINE: A thin distinctive layer in a large water body surface like Ocean where the temperature changes rapidly with the depth. This layer ranges between 300-1000 meters.
HALOCLINE: A vertical layer zone area where salinity goes up fast and rapidly changes with depth. In this particular layer there is a high rate of change in salinity.
Coming to the patterns of thermocline and halocline in the high latitudes and low latitudes is water at high latitudes increases salinity forming density ocean currents which results from decrease in temperature or increase in salinity. The temperature in the water is uniform for the first few hundred feet and as the depth increase the temperature continues to drop along with depth. Thus thermocline is the zone where the rapid temperature changes between the warm surface water and cool deeper waters.
Often latitude can be considered as primary responsible factor which greatly influences seawater temperature. With low latitudes the temperature decreases with depth whereas in case of high latitudes there is no change in temperature with depth.
A. The halocline in the low latitudes exhibits A DECREASE IN SALINITY with its increase in depth. Because in this zone there are rapid changes in the salinity. Basically in the low latitude regions the surface salinity starts at higher level and then gradually decreases as depth increases. Where as in high latitude regions the surface salinity starts at lower level and then increases as depth increases.
B. The surface salinity in the tropics is HIGHER than the surface salinity at the equator. Because the salinity tends to decrease from the equator to the poles. In other words, the temperature in the tropics is high and the evaporation rates are also high so there is increase in salinity where as in case of equator there is lot of rainfall and causes decrease in salinity because of excess runoff water added.
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