The temperature of ocean water is controlled by many factors. The factors affecting the temperature of ocean water are as follows:
1. Latitude.
2. Inequality in the distribution of water and land.
3. Duration of day.
4. Clear atmosphere.
5. Distance of the earth from the sun.
6. Number of sunspots.
7. Oceanic Currents.
Controllers of the Oceanic Temperature:
The description of all these factors is as follows:
1. Latitude: The temperature of the surface water of ocean decreases on moving towards the poles from the north or south of equator because the sun – rays get slanted towards the poles. Consequently, the amount of insolation also decreases towards the poles. The temperature of ocean water is lower than the temperature of air between 40 degrees north and south latitudes from the equator, but the temperature of ocean water is more than that of ambient air latitudes between 40 degrees from the poles.
2. Inequality in the Distribution of Water and Land: There is more of the land in the Northern Hemisphere, and more of the water in the Southern Hemisphere. For this reason, inequality is found in the distribution of water and land. Oceanic surface water temperatures are found to be higher in the northern hemisphere than in the southern hemisphere.
3. Duration of Day: In condition of longer duration of the day, the oceanic water is relatively more warm by attaining more amount of insolation. In condition of shorter duration of the day, the amount of insolation is less in the oceanic water and hence, it is colder.
4. Clear Atmosphere: On the atmosphere being clear, the insolation reaches to the bottom of water in more amount, thereby making the oceanic water more warm. Due to impure atmosphere, the oceanic water becomes less warm by receiving less of the insolation because a large amount of insolation is absorbed by the dust particles, which increase the impurity of the atmosphere.
5. Distance of the Earth from the Sun: On the earth being closer to the sun, the oceanic water becomes warmer by receiving more insolation.
6. Number of Sunspots: The insolation is more with the increased number of sunspots towards the earth and the insolation is less with the reduced number of sunspots. Sunspots are related to the sun’s magnetic field.
7. Oceanic Currents: Oceanic currents affect the oceanic temperature of their flow area. Cold currents reduce the temperature of oceanic water of their flow area and the warm currents increase the temperature.
