How do mesoscale eddies in the ocean transport heat between different layers of the ocean?

Asked by: Patrick Paulson

How are ocean eddies involved in the transfer of heat in the ocean?

In addition to their role in moving heat poleward, mesoscale eddies effect a vertical transfer of heat in the ocean, largely moving heat upwards to partially compensate for the downward heat transport by time mean fields.

What do eddies transport?

Eddies have been shown to transport plumes of suspended sediments and nutrients from continental shelves into the deep ocean^6,9.

How does the ocean transport heat?

This heat is transported by a combination of shallow wind-driven gyres confined to the tropics and subtropics, and deep circulations connected to high-latitude convection.

What causes mesoscale eddies?

Mesoscale eddies are generated via a number of different mechanisms. In the open ocean, for example, baroclinic instability, topography effects, and adjustments of the fronts associated with strong currents (e.g., western boundary currents) can all spawn long-lived mesoscale eddies (Robinson, 2012).

How is heat transferred from one location to another within the oceans?

Heat is transferred within an ocean or sea through turbulent and convective mixing and by vertical and horizontal currents. During the fall and winter, when the surface cools, the heat flow is directed mainly upward; in the spring and summer, when the surface becomes warmer, the heat flow is primarily downward.

What do ocean eddies do?

The swirling motion of eddies in the ocean cause nutrients that are normally found in colder, deeper waters to come to the surface. Significant eddies are assigned names similar to hurricanes.

How do eddies form in the ocean?

They are formed primarily by wind blowing across the surface of the ocean and by differences in the temperature, density and pressure of water and are steered by Earth’s rotation as well as the location of the continents and topography of the ocean bottom.

What causes eddies in water?

Eddies are usually caused by an obstruction in the river, such as a rock or fallen tree. This interrupts the main flow of the river, causing the eddy, which is usually on the downstream side of the obstruction.

What causes eddy currents in water?

As a river flows past an obstruction, water backfills the space downriver of it, forming an Eddy. Whitewater paddlers often use eddies for scouting, regrouping, and resting spots while systematically moving down rapids. Eddies are also used as safer areas to recover swimmers and equipment during a rescue.

How do we know that the transfer of heat occurs between two objects?

You can detect evidence of heat transfer. You might see the air shimmering over a radiator (convection), put your hand on a warm spoon that’s been sitting in a hot bowl of soup (conduction), or notice that the sun shine feels warm on your skin (radiation).

How does the ocean transport heat from the equator to the poles?

Ocean currents act much like a conveyor belt, transporting warm water and precipitation from the equator toward the poles and cold water from the poles back to the tropics. Thus, ocean currents regulate global climate, helping to counteract the uneven distribution of solar radiation reaching Earth’s surface.

How does heat flow in air and ocean currents?

Thermal energy also moves within the ocean and within the atmosphere through the process of convection. During convection, cooler water or air sinks, and warmer water or air rises. This movement causes currents. Ocean currents are like rivers of water moving through the sea.

How do the three major processes of heat transfer?

There are three ways heat is transferred into and through the atmosphere: radiation. conduction. convection.

When the movement of particles from one place to another transfers energy this is called?

Conduction is the process by which heat energy is transmitted through collisions between neighboring atoms or molecules. Conduction occurs more readily in solids and liquids, where the particles are closer together than in gases, where particles are further apart.

How can heat be transferred across empty space?

The thermal radiation also called infrared radiation can transmit heat through empty space. In the radiation no mass is exchanged and no medium is needed. For example the heat from the sun or heat emitted from the filament of a light bulb is an example of the radiation.

How do eddies form in the ocean?

They are formed primarily by wind blowing across the surface of the ocean and by differences in the temperature, density and pressure of water and are steered by Earth’s rotation as well as the location of the continents and topography of the ocean bottom.

What method of heat transfer does heat energy use to reach Earth from the sun?

Radiation

Radiation is the transfer of heat energy through space by electromagnetic radiation. Most of the electromagnetic radiation that comes to the earth from the sun is invisible. Only a small portion comes as visible light. Light is made of waves of different frequencies.

How does heat reach from sea to the earth?

Answer:There are three ways heat is transferred into and through the atmosphere: radiation. conduction. convection.

How does convection contribute to the distribution of heat and moisture across Earth?

How does convection contribute to the distribution of heat and moisture across Earth? a moderate climate regulated by the ocean. carries hot air to the poles, where it cools and sinks, flowing back toward the equator.

How does convection best describe heat transfer?

Convection is heat transfer by mass motion of a fluid such as air or water when the heated fluid is caused to move away from the source of heat, carrying energy with it. Convection above a hot surface occurs because hot air expands, becomes less dense, and rises (see Ideal Gas Law).

How does heat transfer from one object to another?

Heat can be transferred in three ways: by conduction, by convection, and by radiation.

1. Conduction is the transfer of energy from one molecule to another by direct contact. …
2. Convection is the movement of heat by a fluid such as water or air. …
3. Radiation is the transfer of heat by electromagnetic waves.