Question

Explain the changes occurring in the temperature of seawater according to the depth

Answer 1

sea or ocean water temperature varies according to latitudes and the depth of the ocean floor. The temperature of the ocean water near the equator is more than that of the temperature near the Arctic and the Antarctic circles. With the increasing depth the temperature of the ocean water decreases . It is because the sunlight can penetrate into the ocean only up to a depth of 200 meters. Within this depth various marine organisms are found in large numbers.

Answer 2

Temperature of sea water with reference to depth is quite significant than that of surface temperature of the sea water. Temperature of the sea water decreases with increasing depth. However, this change in temperature is not uniform everywhere.

The temperature of the sea water changes rapidly with depth at equatorial areas. Near equator, the surface temperature of the sea water is about 18⁰C. It reduces to 12⁰C at 500m depth. It is about i8⁰C at 1000m depth, 5⁰C at 1500m depth and 4⁰C at 2000m depth. Thus, the variation in the sea in the temperature of the sea water near surface to 2000m depth is 18⁰C and 4⁰C respectively. This variation is about 14⁰C and 4⁰C around mid-latitudinal region. Near polar areas, however, the variation between surface temperature and temperature at depth is nil. Sea water temperature in this region is uniformly seen at 4⁰C.

Most of the surface radiate back from surface of the sea and some of them penetrate to certain depth in water. The intensity of such sun rays decreases. Hence, after a certain depth, the temperature of the sea water remains same everywhere.