The thermohaline circulation is driven by: Select one:

a. El Niño - Southern Oscillation

b. the East Australia Current (EAC)

c. changes in the salinity and temperature of sea water

d. the oceanic solubility carbon pump

The correct answer is C.

Explanation: The thermohaline circulation is driven by the formation of water masses, caused mainly by the differences in temperature and salinity of the water. Therefore, both temperature and salinity combined are responsible to determine the density of the sea water. The waters in this circuit carries energy and mass, and have a lot of impact on the climate of the Earth.