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 outcome results from increased freeze-thaw cycles on alpine sandstone?
• Which outcome results when acidic rainwater accelerates mineral dissolution?
• Which effect promotes plankton blooms when coastal upwelling transports deep water towards the surface?
• Which process causes coastal upwelling to cease temporarily along the Peruvian coast?
• Which landform outcome results after prolonged carbonic acid exposure?
• Which outcome follows increased topsoil disruption due to deflation?