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social science subjects > geography > Earth science > oceanography > thermohaline circulation
other subjects > natural sciences > Earth science > oceanography > thermohaline circulation

Preferred term

thermohaline circulation  

Definition

  • THERMOHALINE CIRCULATION IS global oceanic circulation generated by buoyancy fluxes resulting from heat and freshwater exchange between the ocean, atmosphere, cryosphere, and land. External forcing leading to an increase in water density (i.e., cooling or salinity rise) causes the sinking of more dense water (so-called thermohaline convection) and compensating transport of more light shallower waters of the upper mixed layer and thermocline. [Source: Encyclopedia of Global Warming and Climate Change; Thermohaline Circulation]

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https://concepts.sagepub.com/social-science/concept/thermohaline_circulation

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