surface layer
Top covering part
The topmost portion of a substance or body, especially the upper waters of an ocean or lake where light penetrates and temperature varies with weather.
In oceanography, the surface layer extends from the water's surface to roughly 100 meters deep, distinguished from the stable waters below.
The term applies similarly to soil, skin, or any material where outer and inner regions differ: The surface layer of the cake had dried out.
Outermost garment layer
- finishBring to completion
- primerPreparatory coat or guide
- sealantGap-blocking substance
- varnishLiquid that dries glossy
lacquer · enamel · paint · glaze · veneer · laminate · plating · anodizing
Nutrient-rich surface earth
- horizonApparent earth-sky meeting
- stratumHorizontal layer of material
- crustHard outer layer
- overburdenLoad beyond capacity
weathering · erosion · loam · humus · alluvium · regolith · sediment · outcrop
Rapid temperature-change layer
- phytoplanktonPhotosynthetic aquatic drifters
- chlorophyllLight-harvesting plant pigment
- salinityDissolved mineral concentration
- buoyancyFluid's upward resistance
upwelling · plankton · algae · ocean currents · turbidity · water column · zooplankton · diatoms
topcoat
Outermost garment layer
varnish · lacquer · enamel · paint · glaze · veneer · laminate · plating · anodizing · powder coat
topsoil
Nutrient-rich surface earth
overburden · weathering · erosion · loam · humus · alluvium · regolith · sediment · outcrop · lithosphere
thermocline
Rapid temperature-change layer
- phytoplanktonPhotosynthetic aquatic drifters
- chlorophyllLight-harvesting plant pigment
- salinityDissolved mineral concentration
buoyancy · upwelling · plankton · algae · ocean currents · turbidity · water column · zooplankton · diatoms · nutrients
- layerspaper sheets, veneer, laminate, primer, base coat
- lake layersthermocline, stratification, deep water
- skin layersepidermis, dermis, hypodermis, subcutis, basement membrane
- boundary layers
- water layersthermocline, halocline, mesopelagic, twilight zone, midnight zone
- atmosphereair, humidity, atmosphere, temperature, oxygen
surface layercore
Central essential portion
inner layer · interior · subsurface · base layer · foundation
surface layercore
Central essential portion
essence · heart of the matter · fundamentals · substance · root
surface, layer, layers, superficial, resurface, surfaced, surfacing, resurfaced, resurfacing