Final answer:
Water cools and sinks to the bottom when it reaches the Norwegian Sea, forming deep water masses that drive the thermohaline circulation as part of the global conveyor belt.
Step-by-step explanation:
When water reaches the Norwegian Sea as part of the global conveyor belt, it cools and sinks to the bottom. This is a critical component of thermohaline circulation, which is driven by differences in water density, affected by both temperature and salinity. As the water in the Norwegian Sea cools, its density increases, causing it to sink and form deep water masses that flow along the ocean basin.
This process is vital for the global redistribution of heat and nutrients in the ocean, and it plays a significant role in moderating the planet's climate. When warmer water from the Gulf Stream reaches the colder regions near the Norwegian Sea, the heat is released to the atmosphere, and the water becomes cooler and denser. The sinking of this cold, saline water in the North Atlantic drives a key part of the ocean circulation, contributing to a global network of currents.