Round 6: Tossup 12

Mather et al. measured APA enzyme activity in these systems to determine that differences in DOP cycling in them result from differences in nitrogen fixation levels. Since it sets one force constant, the f-plane approximation fails to model a phenomenon seen in these systems, which Henry Stommel demonstrated by extending the beta-plane approximation. That phenomenon, an imbalance measured as differences in SSH, is called (*) western intensification. Ekman pumping (10[1])causes a bulge at the center of these systems, creating a horizontal pressure gradient allowing for continuous geostrophic balance. These systems form when wind-driven ocean currents are diverted away from the equator by the Coriolis effect. (-5[2])For 10 points, a massive garbage patch (10[1])is at the center of the “North Pacific” example of what (10[1])large rotating ocean currents? ■END■ (10[1])

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