What is upwelling and downwelling in the ocean?

What is upwelling and downwelling in the ocean?

Upwelling is a process in which deep, cold water rises toward the surface. Upwelling occurs in the open ocean and along coastlines. The reverse process, called “downwelling,” also occurs when wind causes surface water to build up along a coastline and the surface water eventually sinks toward the bottom.

What is upwelling ocean currents?

Currents Tutorial Winds blowing across the ocean surface often push water away from an area. When this occurs, water rises up from beneath the surface to replace the diverging surface water. This process is known as upwelling.

What are the 3 major types of currents present in the ocean?

Oceanic currents are driven by three main factors:

• The rise and fall of the tides. Tides create a current in the oceans, which are strongest near the shore, and in bays and estuaries along the coast.
• Wind. Winds drive currents that are at or near the ocean’s surface.
• Thermohaline circulation.

What causes ocean downwelling?

Downwelling occurs when surface waters converge (come together), pushing the surface water downwards. Regions of downwelling have low productivity because of the nutrients get used up and are not continuously resupplied by the cold, nutrient-rich water from below the surface.

Why is downwelling important to ocean life?

Downwelling also allows for deep ocean oxygenation to occur because these waters are able to bring dissolved oxygen down from the surface to help facilitate aerobic respiration in organisms throughout the water column.

What is the main of cause of downwelling?

Question. What causes downwelling? Downwelling occurs when the water on the surface of the sea becomes denser than the water beneath it and so it sinks. Seawater gets denser when it gets colder or saltier.

What are the 5 major ocean current?

There are five major ocean-wide gyres—the North Atlantic, South Atlantic, North Pacific, South Pacific, and Indian Ocean gyres. Each is flanked by a strong and narrow “western boundary current,” and a weak and broad “eastern boundary current” (Ross, 1995).

Where does upwelling occur in the ocean?

Upwelling occurs in the open ocean and along coastlines. The reverse process, called downwelling, also occurs when wind causes surface water to build up along a coastline. The surface water eventually sinks toward the bottom. Subsurface water that rises to the surface as a result of upwelling is typically colder, rich in nutrients,…

What is the importance of current in the ocean?

Currents also are a major factor in ocean ecosystems. Two types of current motion, upwelling and downwelling, strongly influence the distribution and abundance of marine life. Upwelling Currents play a huge role in marine productivity, through a process called upwelling.

How do currents affect the distribution of marine life?

Two types of current motion, upwelling and downwelling, strongly influence the distribution and abundance of marine life. Currents play a huge role in marine productivity, through a process called upwelling. Sea life is concentrated in the sunlit waters near the surface, but most organic matter is far below, in deep waters and on the sea floor.

What is upwelling and downwelling?

Major upwelling areas along the world’s coasts are highlighted in red. Click the image for a larger view. Upwelling occurs in the open ocean and along coastlines. The reverse process, called downwelling, also occurs when wind causes surface water to build up along a coastline. The surface water eventually sinks toward the bottom.