CURRENTS

1. Explain how currents contribute to the distribution of marine organisms around the planet?

* Currents control the water temperature as it continuously circulates throughout the ocean. Current also supply very little oxygen in greater depths of the ocean. Several organisms need a certain degree of temperature and when currents control the temperature of the ocean this cn greatly affect them.


2. The primary factor influencing ocean currents is temperature regulation. What migth happen to the ocean currents (and has happen i the past) as global warming increase?

* As global warming increase, global sea level will increase. Since the glaciers and ice caps are melting, fresh water dumped in the ocean is lighter water over denser and warmer water. This might also affect the climate patterns.


3. Explain how density changes cause currents?

* Currents are caused by differences in the density of the ocean. These differences are due to the changes in salinity. Salinity is a measure of salt dissolved in seawater. More salinity means greater density. During the evaporation cycle, salt is left behind and causes an increase in salinity. Dense water will sink and spread out causing temperature changes and therefore changes current.