Homework Help is Here – Start Your Trial Now!
Science
Earth Science
The image below shows sea surface salinity data from the NASA Aquarius mission. Reds are high salinity, blues are low salinity, and purple is lowest salinity. Notice the very low salinity around Antarctica. What is the most likely explanation?

The image below shows sea surface salinity data from the NASA Aquarius mission. Reds are high salinity, blues are low salinity, and purple is lowest salinity. Notice the very low salinity around Antarctica. What is the most likely explanation?

Applications and Investigations in Earth Science (9th Edition)
Applications and Investigations in Earth Science (9th Edition)
9th Edition
ISBN:9780134746241
Author:Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. Tasa
Publisher:Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. Tasa
Chapter1: The Study Of Minerals
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1LR
See similar textbooks
icon
Related questions
Question
**Question: What is a consequence of less sea ice in the Southern Ocean?** Possible Answers: 1. ( ) more precipitation near Antarctica 2. ( ) more evaporation near Antarctica 3. (•) less evaporation near Antarctica 4. ( ) more ice melt near Antarctica
Transcribed Image Text:**Question: What is a consequence of less sea ice in the Southern Ocean?** Possible Answers: 1. ( ) more precipitation near Antarctica 2. ( ) more evaporation near Antarctica 3. (•) less evaporation near Antarctica 4. ( ) more ice melt near Antarctica
**Title: Understanding Sea Surface Salinity Around Antarctica** **Sea Surface Salinity Data from NASA's Aquarius Mission** The image below illustrates sea surface salinity data collected by NASA's Aquarius mission. The salinity levels are represented using different colors: reds indicate high salinity, blues indicate low salinity, and purple denotes the lowest salinity levels. **Detailed Description of the Map** - The map is centered on Antarctica, with the continent shown in gray. - Surrounding Antarctica, the salinity levels are depicted using a gradient of colors. - Closest to Antarctica, there is a prominent purple ring, indicating the areas of lowest salinity. - Beyond the purple ring, there are zones of blue, which indicate low salinity. - Further from the continent, moving outward, the gradient changes into green and yellow, representing increasing salinity. - Finally, the red bands signify regions with the highest salinity, located farther away from Antarctica. **What Causes Low Salinity Around Antarctica?** The very low salinity around Antarctica, indicated by the purple color, is primarily due to two factors: 1. **Melting Ice:** The melting of icebergs and sea ice introduces a significant amount of freshwater into the ocean, diluting the sea water and lowering its salinity. 2. **Precipitation:** The region receives a substantial amount of snowfall, which also contributes to decreasing the saline concentration as the snow melts. These processes collectively result in the observed very low salinity levels around Antarctica. Understanding these patterns is crucial for studying ocean circulation, climate change, and marine ecosystems. **Discussion Question:** What is the most likely explanation for the very low salinity around Antarctica? Consider the impacts of ice melt and precipitation in your answer.
Transcribed Image Text:**Title: Understanding Sea Surface Salinity Around Antarctica** **Sea Surface Salinity Data from NASA's Aquarius Mission** The image below illustrates sea surface salinity data collected by NASA's Aquarius mission. The salinity levels are represented using different colors: reds indicate high salinity, blues indicate low salinity, and purple denotes the lowest salinity levels. **Detailed Description of the Map** - The map is centered on Antarctica, with the continent shown in gray. - Surrounding Antarctica, the salinity levels are depicted using a gradient of colors. - Closest to Antarctica, there is a prominent purple ring, indicating the areas of lowest salinity. - Beyond the purple ring, there are zones of blue, which indicate low salinity. - Further from the continent, moving outward, the gradient changes into green and yellow, representing increasing salinity. - Finally, the red bands signify regions with the highest salinity, located farther away from Antarctica. **What Causes Low Salinity Around Antarctica?** The very low salinity around Antarctica, indicated by the purple color, is primarily due to two factors: 1. **Melting Ice:** The melting of icebergs and sea ice introduces a significant amount of freshwater into the ocean, diluting the sea water and lowering its salinity. 2. **Precipitation:** The region receives a substantial amount of snowfall, which also contributes to decreasing the saline concentration as the snow melts. These processes collectively result in the observed very low salinity levels around Antarctica. Understanding these patterns is crucial for studying ocean circulation, climate change, and marine ecosystems. **Discussion Question:** What is the most likely explanation for the very low salinity around Antarctica? Consider the impacts of ice melt and precipitation in your answer.
Expert Solution
trending now

Trending now

This is a popular solution!

steps

Step by step

Solved in 2 steps

SEE SOLUTIONCheck out a sample Q&A here
Blurred answer
Recommended textbooks for you
Applications and Investigations in Earth Science …
Applications and Investigations in Earth Science …
Earth Science
ISBN:
9780134746241
Author:
Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. Tasa
Publisher:
PEARSON
Exercises for Weather & Climate (9th Edition)
Exercises for Weather & Climate (9th Edition)
Earth Science
ISBN:
9780134041360
Author:
Greg Carbone
Publisher:
PEARSON
Environmental Science
Environmental Science
Earth Science
ISBN:
9781260153125
Author:
William P Cunningham Prof., Mary Ann Cunningham Professor
Publisher:
McGraw-Hill Education
Earth Science (15th Edition)
Earth Science (15th Edition)
Earth Science
ISBN:
9780134543536
Author:
Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. Tasa
Publisher:
PEARSON
Environmental Science (MindTap Course List)
Environmental Science (MindTap Course List)
Earth Science
ISBN:
9781337569613
Author:
G. Tyler Miller, Scott Spoolman
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Physical Geology
Physical Geology
Earth Science
ISBN:
9781259916823
Author:
Plummer, Charles C., CARLSON, Diane H., Hammersley, Lisa
Publisher:
Mcgraw-hill Education,
SEE MORE TEXTBOOKS