Temperature, Density and Salinity of Oceans – Geography – UGC NET – Notes

Temperature and Density of Oceanic Water

The water in the ocean is never still. Diverse forms of ocean water flows exist as a result of different physical qualities such as temperature, salinity, density, and so on. External influences such as the sun, moon, and winds influence the movement of oceanic water. 

The temperature of Ocean Water

• The primary source of energy is the sun (Insolation).
• Convection of heat from the earth's interior via the ocean's bottom. The crust is only roughly 5 to 30 kilometers thick at the sea surface). However, this heat is insignificant in comparison to the heat emitted by the sun.
• Kinetic energy is converted into heat.
• Chemical processes cause heating.
• Convection of sensible heat from the atmosphere and water vapor condensation
• Massive meteorology, which deals with the portion of the atmosphere that overspreads the huge water masses, is concerned with the study of ocean temperatures.
• One of the most important responsibilities of oceanographers has been to determine the temperature of the sea and to accurately measure it, as this aids in the determination of the motions of enormous amounts of ocean water.