thermoclines
Ocean's thermal strata
Thermoclines are layers in a body of water where temperature changes rapidly with depth, creating a boundary between warmer surface water and colder deep water.
In lakes and oceans, thermoclines form seasonally as the sun heats the upper layer while deeper water stays cold.
Divers and swimmers sometimes feel this as a sudden chill when descending: We dropped below the thermocline and the water turned frigid.
The phenomenon affects marine life distribution, as many species stay above or below these temperature barriers.
Sharp saltiness change layer
- water columnVertical section of sea
- lake stratificationTemperature-based water layering
- transition zoneRegion between differing areas
Deep water rising surfaceward
- downwellingFluid sinking from surface
- ocean currentsLarge-scale seawater movement
- mesopelagicMid-depth ocean layer
Excess nutrients depleting oxygen
- fish habitatWhere marine life resides
- algal bloomSudden overgrowth in water
- oxygen depletionRemoval of breathable gas
Reduction of pressure
- temperature changeAlteration in heat level
- underwater navigationDirecting travel beneath water's surface
- depth gaugeMeasures distance downward
- dive computerTracks depth and decompression
halocline
Sharp saltiness change layer
- water columnVertical section of sea
- lake stratificationTemperature-based water layering
- transition zoneRegion between differing areas
upwelling
Deep water rising surfaceward
- downwellingFluid sinking from surface
- ocean currentsLarge-scale seawater movement
- mesopelagicMid-depth ocean layer
eutrophication
Excess nutrients depleting oxygen
- fish habitatWhere marine life resides
- algal bloomSudden overgrowth in water
- oxygen depletionRemoval of breathable gas
decompression
Reduction of pressure
- temperature changeAlteration in heat level
- underwater navigationDirecting travel beneath water's surface
- depth gaugeMeasures distance downward
- ocean scienceoceanography, marine biology, marine ecosystems, marine science, marine research
- oceanographyoceanography, oceanographer, sonar, marine science, ocean circulation
- sea phenomenawaves, tides, currents, storm surges, rogue waves
- ocean physicscurrents, waves, tides, salinity, upwelling
- Ocean Phenomenatsunami, tides, rogue wave, ocean current, swells
- deep seaabyss, seabed, ocean floor, ocean depths, seafloor