Part 6: Ocean Circulation
The Moving Ocean
Ocean circulation redistributes heat, salt, nutrients, and dissolved gases around the globe. Surface currents are driven by winds, while deep circulation (thermohaline) is driven by density differences. Together, they form the global ocean conveyor belt.
Topics in This Part
6.1 Surface Currents
Wind-driven circulation, Ekman transport, gyres
6.2 Thermohaline Circulation
Deep water formation, global conveyor belt
6.3 Upwelling & Downwelling
Coastal and equatorial upwelling, nutrient supply
6.4 Eddies & Gyres
Mesoscale features, western intensification
6.5 Ocean Modeling
Numerical models, prediction, climate projections
Key Equations
Geostrophic Balance
$$f\vec{u} = -\frac{1}{\rho}\nabla p$$
Ekman Transport
$$M_E = \frac{\tau}{\rho f}$$