the_cat_keeper
Contributor
What causes thermocline and does it affect the marine life?
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archman:Warmer water mass atop cooler water mass... usually. Warmer water is less dense than cooler water (of the same salinity anyway), so it floats above it's cooler pal. It's basically a difference in densities, which is officially termed a "pycnocline". All thermoclines belong in this category, as do salt wedges, brine seeps, and stuff of that nature.
As for thermoclines affecting marine life, typically it's the plankton that show the most effect. Being "trapped" within their respective mass of water, a layering created by a thermocline can restrict vertical migrations. Sometimes this is good, usually it's not.
scowens:Obviously there is something I'm missing, but exactly how does a thermocline work? I know that the water seems to "layer" itself, but I also know that water is very thermoly conductive so 'how' can it layer like that? FYI, my experience is in freshwater.