Which physical characteristic primarily drives the downwelling of surface water within ocean gyres?

💡 Explanation

When surface water within ocean gyres is exposed to high rates of evaporation, increased salinity concentration occurs because water loss concentrates the dissolved salts. This higher density water sinks in the process of downwelling. Therefore increased salinity drives downwelling, rather than temperature, nutrients, or wind which decrease density or affect upwelling.

• Which consequence results when increased freshwater input disrupts thermohaline dynamics in a subpolar gyre?
• Which process dominates when a high sinuosity river forms an oxbow lake during flood season?
• What ocean dynamics create stronger ocean upwelling along the western coasts of continents around the globe?
• Which process develops steep headwalls in cirque formations during glacial retreat?
• Which influence diminishes effectiveness of single-cell thunderstorm formation near mountain ranges?
• Which effect primarily drives oxbow lake formation during highly variable discharge events?