GG140: The Atmosphere, The Ocean, and Environmental Change
Lecture 20 - Ocean Water Density and Atmospheric Forcing. Stability in the ocean is based on the density of the water. Density must increase with depth in order for the ocean to be stable. Density is a function of both temperature and salinity, with cold salty water having a higher density than warm fresh water. Temperature and salinity in the ocean can be affected by the atmosphere. Heat can be added to or removed from the ocean, and precipitation and evaporation change the salinity of the ocean. Surface winds also act as a forcing mechanism on the ocean by creating a wind stress forcing which pushes surface waters. (from oyc.yale.edu)
| Lecture 20 - Ocean Water Density and Atmospheric Forcing |
| Time | Lecture Chapters |
| [00:00:00] | 1. Ocean Depth Profiles |
| [00:06:05] | 2. Salinity |
| [00:09:36] | 3. Stability in the Ocean |
| [00:13:24] | 4. Density |
| [00:22:08] | 5. Atmospheric Forcing of the Ocean |
| [00:27:50] | 6. Atmospheric Forcing of the Ocean: Adding and Removing Heat |
| [00:33:47] | 7. Atmospheric Forcing of the Ocean: Precipitation and Evaporation |
| [00:43:23] | 8. Atmospheric Forcing of the Ocean: Wind Stress |
| References |
| Lecture 20 - Ocean Water Density and Atmospheric Forcing Instructor: Professor Ronald B Smith. Resources: Credit List [PDF]. Transcript [html]. Audio [mp3]. Download Video [mov]. |
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