halocline
Salt concentration gradient
A halocline is a layer in a body of water where salinity changes sharply with depth.
In oceans, the halocline separates less salty surface water from denser, saltier water below.
This stratification affects how water layers mix and how sound travels underwater.
Divers sometimes see a visible shimmer where fresh and salt water meet in underwater caves.
Dissolved mineral concentration
- brineWater saturated with sodium
- brackishMildly salty water
- seawaterSalty ocean fluid
- freshwaterNon-saline aquatic environment
saltwater · hypersaline · desalination · salinization · sodium · chloride · osmosis · conductivity
Scientific study of seas
- marineRelating to the sea
- estuaryTidal mixing zone
- fjordGlacially carved coastal inlet
- polar seasOceans at Earth's extremes
arctic · limnology · hydrology · circulation · upwelling · anoxic · hypoxic
Forming successive strata
- zonationArrangement in distinct zones
- water columnVertical section of sea
- stratificationDivision into distinct levels
- interfaceShared connection point
turnover · stability · buoyancy · layered · seasonal · permanent
Entering water deliberately
- submersibleUnderwater exploration vehicle
- scubaPortable underwater breathing gear
- sonarUnderwater detection by echoes
- deep-seaOf ocean depths
bathymetry · water depth · descent · underwater · exploration · submarines · profiling · measurement
Organism's natural environment
- marine lifeOcean-dwelling organisms collectively
- planktonDrifting marine microlife
- biodiversityRange of life forms
- ecological nicheSpecies' functional environmental position
salinity
Dissolved mineral concentration
freshwater · saltwater · hypersaline · desalination · salinization · sodium · chloride · osmosis · conductivity · mixing
oceanography
Scientific study of seas
polar seas · arctic · limnology · hydrology · circulation · upwelling · anoxic · hypoxic
layering
Forming successive strata
- zonationArrangement in distinct zones
- water columnVertical section of sea
- stratificationDivision into distinct levels
interface · turnover · stability · buoyancy · layered · seasonal · permanent
diving
Entering water deliberately
- submersibleUnderwater exploration vehicle
- scubaPortable underwater breathing gear
- sonarUnderwater detection by echoes
deep-sea · bathymetry · water depth · descent · underwater · exploration · submarines · profiling · measurement
habitat
Organism's natural environment
- marine lifeOcean-dwelling organisms collectively
- planktonDrifting marine microlife
- biodiversityRange of life forms