Emma Frazelle
October 14, 2013
Science Fair
Background Information, Works Cited and Bibliography
Hypothesis:
If ice is placed in a bag at one end of a large tank of water and warm water is slowly
added to the opposite end, a density current will form.
Background Information:
A density current is any current that is created when a more dense current sinks under a
less dense current. This is prominent in our cyclical ocean currents. Particularly, in polar
regions where temperature affects salinity levels. “Density currents flow along ocean and
lake bottoms, because the water entering is colder, saltier, or contains more suspended
sediment and thus is denser than the surrounding water. Density currents are a factor in
water pollution, as the industrial discharge of large amounts of polluted or heated water
can generate density currents that affect neighbouring human or animal communities”
(“Density”).
“Mathematical modeling and large scale simulations give engineers the means to study
these three-dimensional flows, which are frequently immeasurable due to their
destructive power. With those models, engineers come to understand the flow's dynamics
and turbulent structures and how particles mix and move within it, among other features”
(“Density Currents”). By researching density models, scientists are able to gather more
information on how they affect a region. This information allows for the forecasting of
disaster planning from flooding due to hurricanes or excessive rain. The models can also
help forecast the damage created by toxic spills or discharge. By researching how
density currents behave, based on the individual components involved in the density
current, the dynamic variables involved in our web of life can be greatly impacted for the
better (“Oceanography”).
Salinity is the measure of dissolved salts in a body of water. “Although everyone knows
that seawater is salty, few know that even small variations in ocean surface salinity (i.e.,
concentration of dissolved salts) can have dramatic effects on the water cycle and ocean
circulation” (“Salinity”). Salts dissolved in water are not limited to sodium chloride.
There are a number of metals that are dissolved and filtered down into the oceans that
mix in and create the mixture of salts found in our oceans. They can be extracted and
utilized by marine life through element removal. This process ensures that an
equilibrium between element replacement and removal exists. By measuring and
monitoring sea surface salinity, scientists can help understand climate ocean's role in
climate change and climate's effects on ocean circulation. (“Sea”) Maintaining that
balance is essential for the stability of the weather systems and web of life.
Works Cited
“Density current.” Answers.com. Answers Corporation, 2013, Web. 19 Sept. 2013.
<www.answers.com/topic/density-current.>.
“Density Currents.” NCSA. National Center for Supercomputing Applications, 06 Dec.
2006, Web. 10 Aug. 2013.
<access.ncsa.illinois.edu/Stories/DensityCurrents/>.
“Ocean Water: Salinity.” Science and Technology Focus. Office of Naval Research, n.d.,
Web. 07 July 2013.
<http://www.onr.navy.mil/Focus/ocean/water/salinity1.htm>.
“Salinity.” NASA Science-Earth. NASA, 22 May 2013. Web. 19 Sept. 2013.
<http://science.nasa.gov/earth-science/oceanography/physical-ocean/salinity/>.
“Sea Surface Salinity Influence on Earth’s Climate.” Climate.gov. NOAA, n.d., Web. 01
Sept. 2013.
<http://www.climate.gov/teaching/resources/sea-surface-salinity-influence-earthsclimate>.
Bibliography
cold, waters from below. This brings. "Ocean Currents and Climate." Home | USC Earth
Sciences. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Oct. 2011.
<http://earth.usc.edu/~stott/Catalina/Oceans.html>.
"Currents." MBGnet. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Oct. 2011.
<http://www.mbgnet.net/salt/sandy/currents.htm>.
"Density Currents." NCSA News. 6 Dec. 2006. 15 Oct. 2008
<access.ncsa.illinois.edu/Stories/DensityCurrents/>.
"Density Currents ." Urbana School District 116 | Urbana School District 116: Urbana,
IL | Phone: 217-384-3600 Fax: 217-337-4973. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Oct. 2011.
<http://www.usd116.org/waterworks/densitycurrents.htm>.
"Density current: Information from Answers.com." Answers.com - Online Dictionary,
Encyclopedia and much more. 15 Oct. 2009
<http://www.answers.com/topic/density-current>.
"Oceans Alive! | Oceans in Motion | Current Events." Museum of Science, Boston |
Home. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Oct. 2011.
<http://www.mos.org/oceans/motion/density.html>.
"Oceanography." Office of Naval Research - ONR. 15 Oct. 2009
<http://www.onr.navy.mil/Focus/ocean/water/salinity1.htm>.
"Salinity - NASA Science." NASA Science. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Sept. 2013.
<http://science.nasa.gov/earth-science/oceanography/physical-ocean/salinity/>.
"Sea Surface Salinity Influence on Earth's Climate | NOAA Climate.gov." NOAA
Climate.gov | science & information for a climate-smart nation. N.p., n.d. Web.
19 Sept. 2013. <http://www.climate.gov/teaching/resources/sea-surface-salinityinfluence-earths-climate>.
Created at bibme.org