Eddy pumping

Eddy pumping happens when there's a big whirlpool spinning around in the water. Think about when you're in the pool or bathtub and you swish your hand around, making the water go round and round. That can create a little whirlpool, right? Well, when that happens in the ocean or a big lake, it can cause the water to move up and down, just like when you bob up and down on a floatie in the water.

These eddies (that's just another name for those whirlpools) can be really tiny or really big, but the important thing is that they move water and things around in the water. Sometimes, that means bringing cold water up to the surface or pushing warm water down deeper. It can also bring nutrients up to the surface where all the plants and animals can use them.

Scientists study eddy pumping a lot, because it plays a big part in how the ocean and lakes work. So next time you're in the water, try making a little whirlpool with your hand and think about how it's kind of like what happens in big bodies of water too!