Consider the following statements regarding ocean currents: 1. Difference in water density is the main cause for the formation of ocean currents. 2. Density of water depends on temperature, salinity and pressure. 3. As a rule, ocean waters move from areas of higher density to areas of lower density as a current. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Statement 1 is correct: While wind is the primary driver of surface currents, density differences (caused by temperature and salinity variations) are the fundamental cause of the thermohaline circulation (the global conveyor belt), which involves both surface and deep-ocean currents.

Statement 2 is correct: The density of seawater is determined by its temperature (cold water is denser), salinity (saltier water is denser), and pressure (density increases slightly with depth/pressure).

Statement 3 is incorrect: As a general rule, at the ocean surface, water moves from areas of lower density to higher density. This is because warmer, less dense water at the equator expands and has a slightly higher sea level (about 8 cm higher) than the colder, denser water at higher latitudes, causing it to flow "downhill" toward areas of higher density. Deep-sea currents, however, involve dense water sinking and moving toward less dense areas.