Answer :
a. It is driven by density gradients, which are affected by salinity and temperature, with cold water and water with higher salt concentrations being more dense.
The correct answer is option A
The term thermohaline circulation is the mixing of hot and cold water from upper surface to the lower surface. This is caused by the temperature and salinity that changes in the water.
It is driven by the density gradient in which the thermohaline circulation begins when the temperature is very cold and ice forms in the sea. The surrounding sea water gets saltier and its density increases and it sinks down.