As ocean depth increases, _____.
A. pressure decreases
B. temperature increases
C. salinity decreases
D. density increases
Answer:
D. Density Increases.
Explanation:
Given Ocean water, the density increases as the ocean depth increases, this is due to temperature of the ocean decreasing, such that, the colder the water, the more dense it is. Also, higher salinity also increases the density of sea water.
It should be noted that, Less dense water floats on top of more dense water. Hence, considering two layers of ocean water with the same salinity, the warmer water will float on top of the colder water. However, when it comes to density of ocean water, temperature gets much preference than salinity, in the sense that, a layer with higher salinity can actually flow on top of the lower salinity, but only if it is warmer.
Therefore, as the ocean depth increases, its temperature decreases.
Also, as the ocean depth increases, the pressure of the ocean increases due to total amount or weight of water above pushing down on the water below.
The density of water is measured using a CTD instrument, where the instrument is placed in the ocean water from a ship or a platform.
