Question about Thermohaline Circulation

  • Thread starter EthanWM
  • Start date
  • Tags
    Circulation
In summary, the Thermohaline Circulation is a mechanism that helps regulate the amount of ice on Earth. It is linked to the Quaternary Glaciation, which occurred about 3 million years ago. Changes in the Atlantic thermohaline circulation may have been responsible for the abrupt climate change that led to the glaciation.
  • #1
EthanWM
1
0
Hey guys,

I have an assignment to do on Glaciation for university but I'm a bit lost with an aspect of the question and was wondering could anyone help.

The aspect is how the Thermohaline Circulation is linked to the Quaternary Glaciation. I can't find any published articles about it from researchers or anything. Could anyone help by pointing me in the right direction?

Thanking you,

Ethan
 
Earth sciences news on Phys.org
  • #2
http://geology.rutgers.edu/~jdwright/MarGeol/Old%20Marine%20Geol%20folder/Driscoll.pdf[/URL]

[QUOTE]The cause of Northern Hemisphere glaciation about 3 million years ago remains
uncertain. Closing the Panamanian Isthmus increased thermohaline circulation
and enhanced moisture supply to high latitudes, but the accompanying heat
would have inhibited ice growth. One possible solution is that enhanced moisture
transported to Eurasia also enhanced freshwater delivery to the Arctic via
Siberian rivers. Freshwater input to the Arctic would facilitate sea ice formation,
increase the albedo, and isolate the high heat capacity of the ocean from the
atmosphere. It would also act as a negative feedback on the effciency of the
"conveyor belt" heat pump.[/QUOTE]

[URL]http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v415/n6874/full/415863a.html[/URL]

[QUOTE]Data and models both suggest that abrupt climate change during the last glaciation originated through changes in the Atlantic thermohaline circulation in response to small changes in the hydrological cycle.[/QUOTE]

[PLAIN]http://wapedia.mobi/en/Quaternary_glaciation[/URL]

[QUOTE]No completely satisfactory theory has been proposed to account for Earth's history of glaciation. The cause of glaciation may be related to several simultaneously occurring factors, such as astronomical cycles, atmospheric composition, plate tectonics, and ocean currents. [2][/QUOTE]
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #3
Maybe google with AMO Atlantic Meridional Overturning

To get for instance:

http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/abstract/316/5821/66

But although the question is simple, the answer is worth several PhD level studies and then it's probably still different.

There is a whole more to that.
 
  • #4
Probably worth mentioning that CO2 levels were a factor in the Antarctic glaciation. It not as if they were all that high at the time compared to the glacial free Eoecen and Oligocene. See the following:

http://earth.geology.yale.edu/~mp364/index.cgi?page-selection=2 [Broken]

The fall in pCO2 likely allowed for a critical expansion of ice sheets on Antarctica, and promoted conditions that forced the onset of terrestrial C4 photosynthesis.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #5
The key is that ocean currents are density driven and cold temps and added salinity increase the density of water. Changes in meltwater inputs and temperature can then alter the formation and movement of deep water. Wallace Broecker came up with the original conveyor belt idea. I had a meeting with him and George Denton back in the mid- 1980's when he was putting this together.
http://www.tos.org/oceanography/issues/issue_archive/issue_pdfs/4_2/4.2_broecker.pdf [Broken] There are plenty of articles the first link is for a general look at how it is realted to present. The second in on the glaciation link in the past.
http://www.whoi.edu/page.do?pid=12455&tid=282&cid=10149
http://www.essc.psu.edu/~bjhaupt/papers/guest97.sh/guest-sh.html [Broken]
 
Last edited by a moderator:

What is thermohaline circulation?

Thermohaline circulation is a global ocean current system driven by differences in temperature and salinity. It is responsible for redistributing heat and nutrients throughout the world's oceans.

What factors affect thermohaline circulation?

The two main factors that affect thermohaline circulation are temperature and salinity. As water cools, it becomes denser and sinks, while warmer water rises. Similarly, water with higher salinity is denser and sinks, while less salty water rises. Other factors such as wind patterns and ocean topography can also influence thermohaline circulation.

Why is thermohaline circulation important?

Thermohaline circulation plays a vital role in regulating Earth's climate by redistributing heat and nutrients throughout the oceans. It also helps to transport oxygen, carbon, and other important elements to different parts of the ocean, supporting marine life and ecosystems.

How is thermohaline circulation currently being impacted by climate change?

Climate change is causing changes in ocean temperatures and salinity, which in turn can affect thermohaline circulation. As the Earth warms, the polar ice caps and glaciers melt, introducing large amounts of freshwater into the ocean. This can disrupt the balance of salinity and density, potentially slowing down or even stopping thermohaline circulation.

What are the potential consequences of disruptions to thermohaline circulation?

If thermohaline circulation were to slow down or stop, it could have significant impacts on global climate patterns, as well as marine life and ecosystems. It could also lead to changes in sea level and weather patterns, and potentially impact human populations that rely on the ocean for resources and livelihoods.

Similar threads

Replies
2
Views
4K
  • Classical Physics
Replies
1
Views
1K
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
16
Views
1K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
7
Views
684
Replies
7
Views
1K
  • Quantum Physics
Replies
7
Views
986
  • STEM Academic Advising
Replies
25
Views
2K
  • STEM Academic Advising
Replies
6
Views
2K
Back
Top