Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
(a)
Cold and Salty Dee
p
Curr
e
nt
Cold and Salty Deep Current
(b
)
0
275
288
284
278
1
1000
2000
276
3000
275
4000
60°S
40°S
20°S
Equator
20°N
40°N
60°N
(c)
0
275
288
34.9
34.7
284
278
1
34.5
34.7
1000
34.5
2000
276
35
3000
34.9
275
4000
60°S
40°S
20°S
Equator
20°N
40°N
60°N
Figure 2.23. (a) Simplified schematic illustration of the thermohaline circulation.
(b) Temperature and (c) salinity are shown in cross-sections in the Atlantic Ocean at
18°W. Warm, salty Mediterranean water is evident at 1500m depth near 35°N. North
Atlantic water sinks to intermediate depth (about 2500m) and overlays colder but
fresher Antarctic bottom water.
