The ocean density (?) as function of temperature (T) and salinity (S) can be rou

ID: 290628 • Letter: T

Question

The ocean density (?) as function of temperature (T) and salinity (S) can be roughly approximated with:

? ? ?0 +?T ·(T ?T0)+?S ·(S?S0)

with the reference points: T0 = 15oC, S0 = 35PSU. Here the linear gradients are:

?T ? ?0.2kg/m3 · 1/K

?S ? +0.8kg/m3·1/PSU

Select the true statement about the relation between density and ocean temperature and salinity from the list of statements below.

Select one:

a. The variations in ocean density is mostly controlled by salinity, because the temperature sensitivity, ?T, is too small.

b. The variations in ocean density is mostly controlled by salinity, because the reference salinity, S0, is larger.

c. The variations in ocean density is mostly controlled by temperature, because ocean temperature varies over a much larger range than salinity.

d. The variations in ocean density is mostly controlled by salinity, because the salinity sensitivity, ?S, is larger.

The variations in ocean density is mostly controlled by temperature, because ocean temperature varies over a much larger range than salinity.

If the layer of high salinity is warmer than layer of low salinity it can float on the low salinity layer due to higher temperature.

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