Experiment

Ships Log: January 28, 2003. As we continue our voyage in the San Pedro Channel, we notice drift kelp moving along with us. We wonder what forces move things in the water. Upon further investigation we find surface ocean currents move about 10% of the ocean water. These currents bring cooler waters from the north, distribute nutrients and scatter organisms. The mixture of warm and cold waters in this area form the Southern California gyre.

To see what happens when cold and warm waters mix, follow the steps below.

Materials:
• colored ice cubes (use a dark color for it to stand out better)
• a glass dish filled with clear, room-temperature water
• a wooden toothpick

Procedure:
Look at the pan of water. Do you notice any movement in the water?
How long does it take for the colored and clear water to mix?
What would happen if there were small pieces of toothpick in the water?

For more information, investigate ocean currents at your local library or search the internet for keywords like oceanography and currents.