Answer:
Deep ocean currents are a part of the global conveyor belt that circulates water and heat around the Earth. The factors that contribute to the deep ocean currents are:
1. Surface winds: Surface winds transfer energy to the ocean and create large-scale circulation patterns. The winds can push the water horizontally and vertically, driving the currents.
2. Density: The density of seawater depends on its temperature and salinity. When cold and salty water from the Arctic or Antarctic sinks to the bottom of the ocean, it creates a current.
3. Temperature: The temperature of seawater affects its density. Cold water is denser than warm water. The formation of sea ice in polar regions also contributes to the cooling of surface water and the production of dense water.
4. Salinity: The saltiness of seawater affects its density. The evaporation of seawater increases its salinity and makes it denser.
5. Continental shelves and slopes: The proximity of land and the shape of the ocean floor affect the circulation patterns. Narrow shelves and steep slopes can channel the currents and affect their speed and direction.
6. Tides: The gravitational pull of the Moon and Sun causes tides, which can create currents and modify ocean circulation patterns.
7. Ocean currents and eddies: Large-scale currents interact with smaller-scale eddies, creating a complex pattern of flows and counterflows. These interactions can affect the transport of heat, nutrients, and pollutants in the ocean.