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Ocean circulation plays

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a key role in distributing solar energy and maintaining

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climate, by moving heat from Earth's equator to the poles.

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At the ocean surface, currents are primarily driven by wind.

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Deep below the surface however, currents are

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controlled by water density, which depends on the temperature and salinity

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of the water.  In a few important regions, such as

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the North Atlantic, sea water can get cold and salty

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enough to sink to great depths.  This globally

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interconnected process of "overturning circulation" occurs

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in all ocean basins and helps to regulate Earth's climate.

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Aquarius will measure the salinity in the ocean,

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giving scientists the tools needed to improve predictions of future

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climate trends and events, like El Niño.

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Until now, researchers did not have a full set of data on

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ocean salinity and how it impacts climate change.

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Aquarius salinity data, combined with data from other sensors

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that measure sea level, rainfall, temperature,

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ocean color, and winds, will give us a much clearer

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picture of how the ocean works.  Will higher temperatures

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intensify evaporation and alter sea surface salinity patterns?

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Will changes in salinity affect ocean circulation and how

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heat is distributed over the globe?  Aquarius' measurements