In Search Of Ocean Heat - 16

Fig. 1 WOD Ocean Areas

Since oceanographer types like myself, researchers, and World Ocean Databasers usually think in terms of ocean zones and the like, but the general public thinks in terms of the names given to ocean areas, I am showing Ocean Heat Content (h^o, potential enthalpy) according to names given to ocean areas (Fig. 1).

There is only one appendix today which details ocean heat content ('potential enthalpy', h^o) at thirty three depths (Appendix Ocean Heat By Ocean Name).

It does so in terms of Joules per kilogram.

Some of the tiny (by comparison) ocean areas are grouped together as shown in the appendix and on the graphs.

They are "Misc_1", "Misc_2", and "Misc_3" which are composed of ocean areas listed in the appendix.

The fascinating thing about infrared photons which make up ocean heat is that their direction of travel is 360 degrees (any direction).

The controlling factor, the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics, is the direction of hot to cold (warmer to cooler).

So, looking at the graphs in the appendix you see, in some locations and depths, a turbulent movement of heat photons yet in other areas you see a smoother movement of heat photons.

This tells us that ocean heat photons are always headed for cooler locations which is, generally speaking, surface to shallower to deeper (State of the Climate: 2024).

But that generally downward trip can be a "long and winding road".

The next post in this series is here, the previous post in this series is here.

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