Name_______________________
Ocean Salinity & Density Current Worksheet
1. Draw a diagram of many molecules of sea water (water
molecules with dissolved salt particles among them).
•
Use one color to represent water molecules and another color
represent a salt particle.
•
2.
Imagine the sea water you drew in #1 was collected from
the equator. Redraw the diagram from #1 after evaporation has
occurred. Will the water be saltier? What will that look like?
3. This map shows the Columbia River
along the Washington/Oregon border as
it enters the Pacific Ocean. Label areas
of high salinity, medium salinity and
lower salinity by highlighting or
shading the different areas.
4.
Divide this world map of
oceans/seas into areas of high
salinity, medium salinity and
lower salinity (use highlighting
and labeling). As you think
about this, keep in mind the
temperature zones- equatorial
(lots of evaporation), temperate
(areas of precipitation) and
polar (sea ice formation). Also,
think about how coastal areas
might differ from open water
areas.
5. Divide the above figure into three zones: an equatorial zone (label it E), and into two
temperate zones (label them T). Where would the polar zones be? (label them P)
a. How many vertical layers are in the polar zone?
b. Which zone has the biggest mixed layer? Give a reason as to why this is so?
6. On the same figure above, label the layer (mixed, transition or deep) which you think would
have the densest water. The coldest.
7. Adjust your labeling from #6 if necessary? Also, label the layer with the least dense water.
The warmest water.
8. Based on what you just read…draw in the 3rd box.
mixed
mixed
transition
transition
deep
deep
Calm October
Mid-November storm
Calm November
9. Think of a life example of something (or situation) that is in dynamic equilibrium. For
example, within our school we have a population of about 900 students in equilibrium (they
are on campus all day). But it is dynamic (changing), because students are moving in and out
of classrooms all the time, so specific populations within the school building are always
changing. However, the overall population is stable. What is another example of something
that has dynamic equilibrium?
10. In the first box, diagram of solution of 4 salt particles with 10 water molecules (this is
regular sea water). In the second box, redraw the diagram as frozen sea water (sea ice).
Think about what happens to the salt particles when the water freezes.
11. Look at the figure on the right.
What do you imagine
happens to the conveyor belt
if global warming were to
cause most of the sea ice
above the Arctic circle to
melt?
12. In what way do you think Europe’s climate is affected by the Global Conveyor Belt?
13. How long do you think it might take a cargo spill (say, of athletic shoes) in the Indian Ocean to
reach the coast of South Carolina (if it got caught up in the Global Conveyor Belt)?
14. In your own words, explain how ocean currents help penguins near the tip of South America
get enough fish to eat? (think food chain as well as what you have just read).