2015 Essay Contest Finalist

Entry by Alexandra Perez

Earth Science Week Essay

Salt is an important resource that can be used in various ways. However, it also plays a significant role in how the Earth functions. If the salinity is excessive or lacking, then it could affect the climate of the ocean as well as its processes. Aquarius is a satellite mission launched by NASA and the Argentine space program CONAE to measure global sea surface salinity (SSS).

Aquarius gives geoscientists data through maps that show global SSS in different time spans. These satellite-produced images provide a clearer picture of the ocean, its salinity, and the ocean’s climate change as a result of its salinity. This visualization technology has helped geoscientists answer questions such as how the oceans respond to climate change and the water cycle with an ever-changing salinity.

In this case, satellite-produced images are the most useful geoscience visualization because they help geoscientists determine how ocean salinity is interconnected with climate change and the water cycle and they give society an accessible way to envision our Earth. Satellite-produced images are also advancing the understanding of Earth systems by showing how the ocean’s varying salinity can cause changing water temperatures and other altering processes.

Overall, satellite-produced photos, like those from Aquarius, are an essential visualization technique. Firstly, they give geoscientists an opportunity to visualize Earth’s ocean from space and to determine how different areas of geoscience are interrelated. Next, the images from Aquarius advance the understanding of Earth systems by displaying how the dynamic salinity of the ocean can affect the water cycle and the ocean’s circulation of fresh water. Lastly, the Aquarius data can impact society by showing how the climate changes and predicting climate events like El Niño and La Niña. Salt can be an everyday item, but it can be used to interpret various things about our Earth.

Works Cited
Taylor, Lisa G. “NASA Aquarius Mission.” aquarius.nasa.gov. 14 September 2015.