The arrangement of water masses in the southern Atlantic Ocean from the surface to the bottom is:
A)Antarctic Bottom Water, Antarctic Intermediate Water, North Atlantic Deep Water.
B)Antarctic Intermediate Water, Antarctic Bottom Water, North Atlantic Deep Water.
C)Antarctic Intermediate Water, North Atlantic Deep Water, Antarctic Bottom Water.
D)North Atlantic Deep Water, Antarctic Bottom Water, Antarctic Intermediate Water.
E)North Atlantic Deep Water, Antarctic Intermediate Water, Antarctic Bottom Water.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The correct arrangement from the surface to the bottom is Antarctic Intermediate Water (AIW) at intermediate depths, North Atlantic Deep Water (NADW) below it, and Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW) at the deepest levels. AIW is formed at the surface in the Southern Ocean and sinks to intermediate depths. NADW originates in the North Atlantic and sinks below AIW in the Southern Atlantic. AABW is formed around Antarctica and flows into the deepest parts of the ocean basins.

The Arrangement of Water Masses in the Southern Atlantic Ocean