oceanography unit section two thermocline sea surface（海洋学单位第二部分温跃层海面）（6页）.docVIP

Oceanography Unit Section Two Thermocline Sea Surface Temperature Read through the notes below or on-line and answer the questions 1-11 from the notes. I. Ocean Temperature Productivity Interaction of solar radiation with ocean water governs ocean temperature, marine productivity, and the color of seawater 92% of visible solar radiation that hits the ocean surface is absorbed. 65% of the visible light that does enter seawater is absorbed within the upper 1 m (3.3 ft) and no more than 1% reaches a depth of 100 m (330 ft) Seawater temperature declines with increasing latitude and increasing depth A. 3 Layers of the Oceans - permanent layers based on the vertical profile of average water temperature: 1. Mixed layer - winds circulate ocean surface waters down to a max depth of about  450 m (1475 ft) at mid latitudes; temperature averages about 15 0C (59 0F) 2. Main Thermocline- transition zone between the warmer water of the mixed layer  the colder water of the deep layer 3. Deep Layer - occurs below a depth of 1200 m or (3900 ft) in mid latitudes; usually under 4 0C (39 0F); extends to the surface at latitudes above 50 0 N or S Therm = temperature cline = rapid change with depth B. Photic Zone - the sunlit upper layer  that receives adequate light for photosynthesis; area where algae grows.  C. Aphotic Zone- area below the photic  zone where too little light penetrates for  plants to survive. D. Ocean Color is caused by water absorbing longer wavelengths of visible light (red  yellow) so green blue penetrate to greater depths. Near shore shallow water  tends to have more suspended material which scatters more green yellow giving  the shore area a slightly lighter color. II. Thermohaline Circulation- subsurface movements of water masses, generated by density contrasts that arise from differences