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Deep Water Mass
An oceanographic water mass is an identifiable body of water with a common formation history which has physical properties distinct from surrounding water. Properties include temperature, salinity, chemical - isotopic ratios, and other physical quantities which are conservative flow tracers. Water mass is also identified by its non-conservative flow tracers such as silicate, nitrate, oxygen, and phosphate. Water masses are generally distinguished not only by their respective tracers but also by their location in the Worlds' oceans. Water masses are also distinguished by their vertical position so that there are surface water masses, intermediate water masses and deep water masses. Global water masses Common water masses in the world ocean are: * Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW): Antarctic Bottom Water is a very important water mass. Antarctic Bottom Water is the left over part when sea ice is being made. It is very cold but, not quite freezing so the water moves down and along t ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Antarctic Bottom Water
The Antarctic bottom water (AABW) is a type of water mass in the Southern Ocean surrounding Antarctica with temperatures ranging from −0.8 to 2 °C (35 °F) and absolute salinities from 34.6 to 35.0 g/kg. As the densest water mass of the oceans, AABW is found to occupy the depth range below 4000 m of all ocean basins that have a connection to the Southern Ocean at that level. AABW forms the lower branch of the large-scale movement in the world's oceans through thermohaline circulation. AABW forms near the surface in coastal polynyas along the coastline of Antarctica, where high rates of sea ice formation during winter leads to the densification of the surface waters through brine rejection. Since the water mass forms near the surface, it is responsible for the exchange of large quantities of heat and gases with the atmosphere. AABW has a high oxygen content relative to the rest of the oceans' deep waters, but this depletes over time. This water sinks at four dis ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
North Pacific Intermediate Water
North Pacific Intermediate Water (NPIW) is cold, moderately low salinity water mass that originates in the mixed water region (MWR) between the Kuroshio and Oyashio waters just east of Japan. Examination of NPIW at stations just east of the MWR indicates that the mixed waters in the MWR are the origin of the newest NPIW. The new NPIW ‘‘formed’’ in the MWR is a mixture of relatively fresh, recently ventilated Oyashio water coming from the subpolar gyre, and more saline, older Kuroshio water. The mixing process results in a salinity minimum and also in rejuvenation of the NPIW layer in the subtropical gyre due to the Oyashio input. Properties and Formation The North Pacific Intermediate Water is a well-defined salinity minimum, located in the North Pacific subtropical gyre. It occurs at a depth range of 300-800 meters and is confined to a narrow density range. NPIW forms when low-salinity, high-oxygen subpolar water is overrun by warm, saline subtropical waters. The NPIW ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Water Masses
Water is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula . It is a transparent, tasteless, odorless, and nearly colorless chemical substance. It is the main constituent of Earth's hydrosphere and the fluids of all known living organisms (in which it acts as a solvent). It is vital for all known forms of life, despite not providing food energy or organic micronutrients. Its chemical formula, , indicates that each of its molecules contains one oxygen and two hydrogen atoms, connected by covalent bonds. The hydrogen atoms are attached to the oxygen atom at an angle of 104.45°. In liquid form, is also called "water" at standard temperature and pressure. Because Earth's environment is relatively close to water's triple point, water exists on Earth as a solid, a liquid, and a gas. It forms precipitation in the form of rain and aerosols in the form of fog. Clouds consist of suspended droplets of water and ice, its solid state. When finely divided, crystalline ice may precipitat ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
