Effects Of Thermohaline Circulation

Thermohaline circulation (THC) is one of three elements responsible for deep-water movements that drive the ocean’s great currents, also known as the global conveyer belt. THC, in conjunction with tidal forces and wind patterns, keep our oceans circulating in what appears to be a closed loop system. As the temperature of seawater passing through the North Atlantic Ocean drops, it freezes and leaves behind saline, increasing salt concentration and therefore density of the surrounding water. The heavier waters then sink, and less dense surface water moves in to fill its place, creating a current. The deep current movements are very important for aquatic ecosystems; the interchange of warmer waters and colder currents moving along the ocean floor brings cooled, nutrient-rich water closer to the surface, where marine and aquatic life get to feed and thrive (Link & Tol, 2004). Figure 3 depicts how the basic circulation pattern occurs as water temperature differential changes at the surface.

Figure 3: Thermohaline Circulation (Kennesaw University, n.d.). …show more content…
Climate scientists, however, caution that it would be a high-risk, high-consequence event. They anticipate that it could have a very influential impact on crop yields, having a particularly negative impact on European nations. Contrary to the above section on ocean acidity, some researchers believe the shutdown of ocean circulation could mean a reduced uptake of carbon dioxide by the earth’s great water bodies, potentially restoring some alkalinity to the oceans and rebalancing its pH