Characteristics of Oceans

 a moving ridge or swell on the surface of the ocean caused by the wind

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Waves

 the rise and fall of sea level caused primarily by the gravitational pull between the Earth and moon

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Tides

continuous, directed movements of a large body of water caused by wind patterns and differences in salinity and temperature

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Currents

• The Gulf Stream is a warm Atlantic Ocean current.

• Ocean currents affect the mixing of ocean waters. This can affect plant and animal populations. Currents also affect navigation routes.

Salinity

• Ocean water contains dissolved salts, measured as salinity

• Salinity = amount of salt dissolved in a body of water

• Salinity varies based on evaporation rates and runoff​

Salinity

• Heat from the sun affects the amount of salt in ocean water

• At the Equator the Sun’s heat warms the ocean water.  As the water heats up it evaporates leaving its salt behind

• The more water that evaporates, the saltier the ocean water becomes

• Salty water is heavy and it sinks

• Less salty water rises to the surface because it is lighter

Ocean Temperature

• As the depth of ocean water increases, the temperature decreases

As you move towards the bottom of the ocean, the

temperature is colder

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Ocean Depth

• As the depth of ocean water increases, the amount of light decreases.

As you move towards the bottom of the ocean, less light from the sun/gets darker