Circumpolar deep water

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The circumpolar deep water is one of three main currents in the Southern Ocean around Antarctica occur. It serves to compensate for the Antarctic bottom water and the Antarctic surface water , both of which lead (cold) water out of the Antarctic area. The circumpolar deep water consists of warmer water flowing towards Antarctica. Because of its high salinity it is heavier than the Antarctic surface water, because of the higher temperature it is lighter than the Antarctic bottom water, which is why it flows between these two layers. Circumpolar deep water originates from the oceans surrounding the Southern Ocean , especially the North Atlantic . Due to the topography of the sea floor and the sinking of the heavier Antarctic bottom water, it rises from great depths with increasing proximity to the Antarctic continent and causes strong upwelling there . This leads to the formation of the Antarctic divergence .

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