Question

How can chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) be used as such tracers? Would CFC-based methods be equally suitable for analysis of surface currents and thermohaline circulations?

a) CFCs are used to track wildlife migrations. They are equally suitable for both types of circulation analysis.
b) CFCs can be released into the ocean and tracked as they move with currents. They are suitable for surface currents but not thermohaline circulations.
c) CFCs are used for weather forecasting. They are not suitable for any circulation analysis.
d) CFCs are used to measure air pressure and are not relevant for ocean circulation studies.

Answer 1

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) can be used as tracers in oceanography by releasing them into the ocean and tracking their movement with currents. They are more suitable for analyzing surface currents than thermohaline circulations.

Step-by-step explanation:

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are synthetic compounds that were widely used as refrigerants, propellants, and solvents. They have been phased out due to their contribution to ozone depletion in the upper atmosphere. CFCs can be used as tracers in oceanography by releasing them into the ocean and tracking their movement with currents. However, they are more suitable for analyzing surface currents rather than thermohaline circulations. This is because CFCs are relatively stable and do not readily mix with the deeper waters in thermohaline circulations.