Which mechanism maintains stable North Atlantic thermohaline circulation despite freshwater input from glacial melt?

💡 Explanation

When freshwater enters the North Atlantic, increased evaporation and brine rejection during sea ice formation significantly increases the surrounding water density, promoting continued sinking and driving thermohaline circulation because density differences drive the system. Therefore, sea ice formation causes increased density which maintains circulation, rather than diffusion, upwelling, or turbulent dissipation, which have different effects.

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