djupströmmar

Djupströmmar, also known as deep currents or thermohaline circulation, are large-scale ocean currents that move water masses along the ocean floor. These currents are driven by differences in water density, which are primarily determined by temperature and salinity. Cold, salty water is denser than warm, less salty water, causing it to sink and flow along the ocean bottom.

The formation of djupströmmar is a crucial part of the global ocean conveyor belt. In polar regions, where water cools significantly and ice formation increases salinity, the surface water becomes dense enough to sink. This sinking water then travels vast distances across the ocean basins, carrying nutrients and oxygen to the deep sea.

As these deep water masses travel, they gradually mix with surrounding waters and eventually upwell in other parts of the world, often in warmer regions. This cycle plays a vital role in regulating global climate by transporting heat and influencing weather patterns. Changes in the rate or pathways of djupströmmar can have significant impacts on ocean ecosystems and the Earth's climate system.