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Advanced Oceanography Ocean Circulation - Chapter 1 A Review Circulation in both the oceans and the atmosphere is driven by energy from the Sun and modified by the Earth’s Rotation The oceans are mechanically driven by the atmosphere – winds. The oceans are thermally driven by the atmosphere by inducing changes in temperature and salinity (precipitation and evaporation, review latent and sensible heat fluxes) Ocean current system involves both wind driven surface currents and density-driven (thermohaline) deep circulation. Look at the winds: Wind bands – Three convection cells in each hemisphere Trade winds = NE (30°N to 0°) and SE (30°S to 0°) Westerlies = 60°N to 30°N and 60°S to 30°S Polar easterlies = 90°N to 60°N and 90°S to 60°S Low pressure at 0°, 60°N, and 60°S Low pressure, ascending air, clouds, increased precipitation High pressure at 30°N, 30°S, 90°N, and 90°S High pressure, descending air, clear skies, low precipitation Now look at the currents: Review the Coriolis Force Air and water masses moving over the surface of the Earth are subject to the Coriolis force. The Coriolis force acts at right angles to the direction of motion, is zero at the Equator and increases to a maximum at the poles. Review The Radiation Balance The radiation balance of the Earth-oceanatmosphere system is positive at low latitudes and negative at high latitudes. Poleward Heat Transport: Upper Atm. Wind systems in the atmosphere and current systems in the ocean redistribute this heat around the planet. Sea-surface temperatures during Northern Hemisphere summer Sea-surface average salinities in parts per thousand (‰). Fig. 6-16, p. 168 North Temperature Equator Latitude Tropic of Cancer Tropic of Cancer Equator Tropic of Capricorn South Tropic of Capricorn Salinity Temperature Salinity