Upwelling, Phytoplankton, and Blue Whales…….

Thermohaline circulation (thermo=temperature, haline=salt) Water in the ocean is in motion: the wind pushes it around. As currents move towards cold areas it gets colder (denser) The wind evaporates water but not the salt  seawater becomes also saltier  denser Denser surface water sinks Currents at bottom of ocean move “packs” of water with different densities (combination of salt and temperature) around the globe  THERMOHALINE CIRCULATION

Upwelling Remains of dead organisms sink and decompose and go out of the sunlight (epipelagic )zone. Nutrients accumulate in deep waters Upwelling=process of deep, nutrient-rich bottom waters flowing to the surface of the ocean

How does it work? Wind + Coriolis force coriolis animation = current flow coriolis animation N-hemisphere: right of wind direction S-hemisphere: left of wind direction “gaps” are filled with water from below: upwelling

Upwelling When the nutrients reach surface water, tiny algae (water plants) called phytoplankton can grow. These plants are the basis of the ocean food chain. Upwelling areas are therefore very important for all animal life: shrimp to blue whales

Blue Whales Biggest animal on earth: tons Marine mammals Eat tiny animals named krill: more than 4 tons/day Depend on areas where they can find lots of food, like upwellings Source: