water resources

oceans. I M P O R TA N C E
• climate
• oceans distribute heat around
the planet (with the atmosphere)
• absorb heat near the equator
and then move that solar energy
to more polar regions
(thermohaline circulation)
• moderate climate within a region
oceans. I M P O R TA N C E
• hydrologic cycle
oceans. I M P O R TA N C E
• biodiversity
 oceans. S A LT WAT E R
• salt. 3.5% of ocean water
• salinity. salt content
vary in different locations
 oceans. S A LT WAT E R
Water density increases as:
• salinity increases
• temperature decreases
• pressure increases
oceans. S A LT WAT E R
oceans. S A LT WAT E R
oceans. V E R T I C A L D i v i s i o n s
oceans.
VERTICAL
Divisions
in the
Pelagic Zone
oceans. H O R I Z O N TA L D i v i s i o n s
oceans. H O R I Z O N TA L D i v i s i o n s
oceans. WAV E S
oceans. WAV E S

The largest wind waves form when the wind

• is very strong
• blows steadily for a long time
• blows over a long distance
oceans. WAV E S
oceans. T I D E S
oceans. T I D E S
oceans. spring T I D E S
oceans. neap T I D E S
oceans. S U R FA C E C U R R E N T S

Surface currents are created by three things:

• global wind patterns
• the rotation of the Earth
• the shape of the ocean basins
 oceans. S U R FA C E C U R R E N T S
Water is pushed in the direction
of the major wind belts:
• trade winds: east to west
between the Equator and
30oN and 30oS
• westerlies: west to east in the
middle latitudes
• polar easterlies: east to west
between 50o and 60o north
and south of the Equator and
the north and south pole
oceans. S U R FA C E C U R R E N T S
oceans. S U R FA C E C U R R E N T S
oceans. O C E A N C U R R E N T S
oceans. D E E P C U R R E N T S
oceans. D E E P C U R R E N T S
oceans. B I O D I V E R S I T Y
oceans. B I O D I V E R S I T Y
oceans. B I O D I V E R S I T Y
oceans. B I O D I V E R S I T Y
oceans. B I O D I V E R S I T Y
oceans. B I O D I V E R S I T Y
oceans. B I O D I V E R S I T Y
oceans. F O O D C H A I N