The Green Analysis

Introduction

Thermohaline circulation in one way or another affects all aspects of life on Earth. From influencing the climates of all continents, supporting economies of coastal countries, and driving the surface currents that are vital to both humans and the rest of the world.

What is It

Thermohaline circulation is the mass movement of water driven by temperature and salinity. Cold, salty water sinks in the water column and moves slowly throughout the bottom of ocean basins. Warm water on the other hand flows on the surface toward the poles in narrow currents. It is a massive multi-ocean chain of currents that circulates water and energy throughout the globe.

Effects on Environment

Thermohaline circulation affects climate by first transporting heat energy away from the equator and toward the poles through surface currents; thereby moderating the climates of high-latitude areas. Then massive amounts of cold water from the poles sink towards the bottom of the ocean, to the point that entire ocean basins are covered with a layer of polar water. The cold water layer is high in dissolved oxygen and nutrients, bringing it to the deep ocean and allowing life to exist there. Furthermore, in areas where the deep water upwells, the oxygen and nutrient-dense water teems with life exploiting its benefits.

Risks of Climate Change

There are still many things about thermohaline circulation that are not understood, and the effects of thermohaline circulation could be all-encompassing. Yet climate change threatens to halt it. As temperatures rise less cold water will get cold enough to sink, and as glaciers melt the buoyant freshwater will further prohibit sinking. This is a big problem because climate change will only get closer to stopping thermohaline circulation, and the full implications and effects of thermohaline circulation are not even partially understood.