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Education: Student Outcomes

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Salt of the Earth: Ocean Atmosphere Circulation Helps Moderate Climate

Grade levels: 5-8, 9-12
Themes: climate, ocean circulation, water cycle
Video: salt_of_earth_02.flv

Susan Lozier: "And the atmosphere and the ocean, both being fluids of the earth, really work together. We consider them sort of equal partners in the redistribution of this heat on the planet. So when those warm waters are returning, as they're moving up to the higher and higher latitudes then, they're releasing that heat to the atmosphere. Then the winds blow over the ocean, they pick up that heat and those winds over the Atlantic Ocean are moving from the North American continent to the European continent."

Jeff Halverson: "It takes perhaps a thousand years for the water to cycle through the deep ocean. So we say the oceans have a memory. They're like a tape recorder. Things that happen now will still be manifest hundreds of years in the future as that cold water moves through this giant circulation."

Susan Lozier: "So if there's any change to that overturning circulation, that means that Northern Europe and the British Isles would be robbed of that heat due to those waters that are returning to the high latitudes." (source)
 
Student Outcomes 
After viewing this video, students should be able to:
Explain the effect of solar energy on wind and cloud formation and the effect solar energy, wind and clouds have on climate. (C: 5-8)
Explain the effect of solar energy heat on ocean circulation. (O: 5-8)
Explain the effect of density on ocean circulation. (O: 5-8)
Explain the relationship between fresh water and ocean dynamics. (W: 9-12)

Key:  C = climate / O = ocean circulation / T = 21st century technology / W = water cycle