Abstract
Ocean hydrodynamics (the scientific study of the motion of liquids) consists of a complex system of currents, occurring both in the surface waters of the first few hundred meters of the ocean and in the deeper waters below. The upper surface of the ocean is characterized by wind driven currents, where ocean water is pushed by moving air masses. Deep ocean circulation is referred to as “thermohaline circulation”, as it is largely dictated by the temperature (“thermos”) and salinity (“haline”) of sea water. Less dense, warmer water flows towards the surface, while denser, colder water sinks. Both current systems are driven by differences in air or water temperature on regional and global scales. As climate change continues to cause global temperatures to rise, these currents may change, which will have repercussions on weather patterns across the planet. The installation and operation of wind turbines in the offshore environment can modify small-scale atmospheric and oceanographic processes associated with hydrodynamic circulation. These modifications can be localized immediately around a wind turbine or spread well beyond the boundaries of wind farms.