Lab 5.4 – What seawater property (temperature or salinity) is most important in determining density at different locations?
Fundamental concept: Relationship of temperature and salinity to density
Estimated time to complete: 60-90 minutes
Materials needed: none
In this activity you will be comparing temperature, salinity, and density profiles at two different locations over a year period, and be able to isolate the influence of just one variable (temperature or salinity) on density.
You are able to see the a dataset of temperature, salinity and density data for two ocean locations. You can interact with the data by:
- Zooming in and out of the data to look at different time scales that interest you by changing the width of the highlighted section of the bottom graph (it loads with all of the data highlighted).
- Showing calculated density by either holding temperature or salinity constant
- Selecting which location to show
Orientation Questions:
Interpretation Questions:
- What variable (temperature or salinity) has more of a controlling effect on density in the Irminger Sea (polar)? Why?
- What variable (temperature or salinity) has more of a controlling effect on density at the Coastal Pioneer mooring (temperate region)? Why?
