How do sound, light, and dissolved gases behave in the ocean?
Readings: Ch. 6, p. 151-161, Ch 7, p. 171-176 Note-before we started todays lecture, I reviewed some key concepts about density driven circulation (thermohaline circulation). We looked at the following figures from Garrison, which are key figures in the idea of density layering and density driven circulation. Figures 6.13 (really key figure-the T-S diagram) and figure 9.21 Figure 9.22-where deep bottom water forms today Figure 6.14-what profiles of temperature, salinity, and density generally look like 1. Today we will take a look at 3 extremely important aspects of the ocean: sound, light, and what we call the Biological Pump, which is the remarkable balancing of ocean water chemistry by plants and animals. 2. Sound in the ocean: Sound travels as a wave. Sound travels faster in water than air, and faster in salt water than in fresh water. Sound velocity in the ocean is determined by the interplay of salinity and temperature (just as these 2 characteristics determine density, they also
