Become an OU student Environment: sharing a dynamic planet Copyrighted image Icon Environment: sharing a dynamic planet BSc (Hons) Natural Sciences (Environmental Science) Copyrighted image Icon BSc (Hons) Natural Sciences (Environmental Science) BA/BSc (Honours) Open degree Copyrighted image Icon BA/BSc (Honours) Open degreeDownload this courseDownload this course for USE offline or for other devicesWordWordMobiKindlePrintablePDFEpubEpub 2Epub3Epub 3RssRSSHtmlHTMLScormSCORMOuxmlOUXML FileImsccIMS CCOuxmlpackageOUXML PckgSee more formatsShow fewer formatsCourse rewardsFree statement of participation on completion of these courses.Create your free OpenLearn profileAnyone can learn for free on OpenLearn, but signing-up will give you access to your personal LEARNING profile and record of achievements that you earn while you study.Sign up now for free Course contentThe oceansThe oceansThis free course is available to start right now. Review the full course description and key learning OUTCOMES and create an ACCOUNT and enrol if you want a free statement of participation.Create account See more free coursesConclusionThe effect of the wind stress on the surface of the ocean is passed down through the water column through eddy viscosity and energy is transferred into the water column.The net result of the Ekman spiral in the Northern Hemisphere is to cause a slow transport of moving water to the right of the wind. In the Southern Hemisphere it causes a slow transport of moving water to the left.Different climates produce water masses of different densities. Sea ice generation in the polar regions creates very dense water masses.The processes that drive a circulation pattern throughout the Atlantic Ocean also operate in the other oceans of the world. The differing densities of water have set up a global circulation pattern which is drawn schematically as an 'oceanic conveyor belt' that redistributes large amounts of HEAT around the Eart