The thermohaline circulation transports heat in the same direction as the wind-driven circulation in the Southern Hemisphere.

Question

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The question asks us to evaluate the statement: 'The thermohaline circulation transports heat in the same direction as the wind-driven circulation in the Southern Hemisphere.'

Option analysis:
- Option (True) is not present, but the task requires evaluating the given statement. The claim suggests that the large-scale vertical/mrought heat transport by the global thermohaline circulation moves heat in the same direction as the surface, wind-driven Southern Hemisphere gyres. However,

Key concept: The thermohaline circulation (also called the global conveyor belt) is driven by density differences caused by temperature and salinity. Its main role is to move heat meridionally through the deep ocean and across basins, with patterns that connect the tropical regions to high latitudes. This deep overturning often transports heat poleward but not necessarily in lockstep with surface wind-driven patterns.

- Why the statement is likely false: The wind-driven (surface) circulation in the Southern Hemisphere forms subtropical gyres that circulate in a generally clockwise manner due to the Coriolis effect. These surface currents predominantly move heat along the upper ocean and along western boundary currents, with directions set by prevailing winds and Coriolis force. The thermohaline circulation operates on a different driver (density contrasts) and has components that move heat in some regions poleward at depth while other regions may return heat equatorward at shallower depths. The net heat transport direction of thermohaline flow does not universally align with the surface wind-driven patterns.

- Why the statement could be considered flawed scientifically: If one looked at a global view, the surface wind-driven gyres in the Southern Hemisphere often move heat along the gyre cycle (e.g., westward flow in the western boundary currents and poleward flow along eastern margins), while the deep thermohaline transport may carry heat in opposite or distinct pathways between basins. The coupling between surface winds and deep overturning is complex, and the sign (direction) of heat transport can differ with depth, latitude, and basin.

In summary, the assertion that thermohaline circulation transports heat in the same direction as the Southern Hemisphere wind-driven circulation oversimplifies and misaligns with the established understanding of how these two components of the ocean circulation operate and interact. The two systems do not consistently share the same directional heat transport across all regions and depths.

CLMTGR5001_002_2025_3 - Dynamics of Climate Variability and Chan PRACTICE QUIZ: Week 7 Lecture 3

The thermohaline circulation transports heat in the same direction as the wind-driven circulation in the Southern Hemisphere.

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