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Open ocean convection is a process in which the mesoscale ocean circulation and large, strong winds mix layers of water at different depths. Fresher water lying over the saltier or warmer over the colder leads to the stratification of water, or its separation into layers. Strong winds cause evaporation, so the ocean surface cools, weakening the stratification. As a result, the surface waters are overturned and sink while the "warmer" waters rise to the surface, starting the process of convection. This process has a crucial role in the formation of both bottom and intermediate water and in the large-scale thermohaline circulation, which largely determines global climate. It is also an important phenomena that controls the intensity of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC).
References
Notes
- ↑ CIMAS (2008). "Ocean Surface Currents Glossary". NOPP. Retrieved 2009-02-07.
Further reading
- Rutgersson, A.; Smedman, A.; Sahlée, E. (2011). "Oceanic convective mixing and the impact on air-sea gas transfer velocity". Geophysical Research Letters. 38 (L02602): 5 pp. Bibcode:2011GeoRL..38.2602R. doi: 10.1029/2010GL045581 .[ permanent dead link ]
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