P1B 02 Oceanic Conveyor Belt and Thermohaline Circulation

Winds blowing warm, moisture-filled air to Europe

• Decrease the temperature and precipitation of Western Europe.

• Have no effect on the climate of Western Europe.

• Increase the temperature and precipitation of Western Europe.

• Cause severe droughts in Western Europe.

Stage 1 of the Oceanic Conveyor

• Cold, salty, dense water sinks at the Earth's northern polar region and heads south along the western Atlantic basin.

• Warm, fresh water rises at the equator and flows towards the poles.

• Cold, fresh water flows from the southern polar region to the equator.

• Warm, salty water sinks in the Indian Ocean and circulates around the globe.

Use of carbon dioxide by algae

• Carbon dioxide is used by algae for photosynthesis.

• Algae release carbon dioxide during respiration.

• Carbon dioxide is toxic to algae and inhibits growth.

• Algae absorb carbon dioxide only at night.

Movement of oxygen by the conveyor

• The conveyor moves oxygen from the top of the ocean, where it is produced by algae, to deeper layers.

• The conveyor transports oxygen from the ocean floor to the surface for photosynthesis.

• The conveyor circulates oxygen throughout the atmosphere to support terrestrial life.

• The conveyor filters oxygen from the water to release it into the air.

Map showing global ocean currents

• Ocean currents have no impact on climate.

• Ocean currents help in distributing heat around the planet.

• Ocean currents only affect marine life.

• Ocean currents are only found in the Arctic region.

Oceanic Conveyor Belt or Thermohaline Circulation (THC)

• A global-scale circulation of ocean water, consisting of both surface and deep-sea currents.

• A phenomenon that only affects surface water temperatures.

• A type of current that only occurs in the Atlantic Ocean.

• A process that is unrelated to climate change.

Warming of the Current in Stage 4

• The current cools and sinks as it travels southward, affecting global water temperatures.

• The current warms and rises as it travels northward, influencing global water temperatures.

• The current remains stable and does not affect global water temperatures.

• The current warms and flows eastward, decreasing global water temperatures.

Importance of oxygen in oceans

• Oxygen is crucial for the respiration of all animals in the oceans.

• Oxygen is primarily used by plants for photosynthesis in oceans.

• Oxygen levels in oceans are not important for marine life.

• Oxygen is a byproduct of carbon dioxide in ocean water.

Carbon dioxide distribution

• The conveyor distributes carbon dioxide throughout the ocean.

• Carbon dioxide is primarily found in the atmosphere.

• Carbon dioxide is produced by photosynthesis in plants.

• Carbon dioxide is only found in freshwater bodies.

Return of Warmed Waters in Stage 5

• Warmed waters eventually return to the North Atlantic, completing the cycle.

• Warmed waters are permanently lost to the ocean depths.

• Warmed waters are redirected to the Southern Hemisphere.

• Warmed waters evaporate and do not return.