Density Inversions in the Ocean

Ben Kravitz

Potential DensityPotential Density (ρθ) is the density a parcel of water would have if raised

adiabatically to the surface without a change in salinity.

σθ = ρθ - 1000

Double Diffusion

QuickTime™ and aYUV420 codec decompressor

are needed to see this picture.warm fresh water

cool salty water

http://www.phys.ocean.dal.ca/programs/doubdiff/doublediffusion.html

Kelvin-Helmholtz Instability

Places with Stable Density Inversions

Mediterranean Sea outflow

Persian Gulf and

Gulf of Oman

Red Sea andGulf of Aden

Mediterranean Sea outflow into Atlantic Ocean

-1200 m

seasurface

-1500 m

intruding layer of warm, salty water σθ = 27.85-27.90

Atlantic water at σθ = 27.85-27.90

densityinversion

σθ naturally

decreasesmovingupward