What is the thermocline and why is it important?

What is the thermocline and why is it important?

In the open ocean, the thermocline is characterized by a negative sound speed gradient, making the thermocline important in submarine warfare because it can reflect active sonar and other acoustic signals. This stems from a discontinuity in the acoustic impedance of water created by the sudden change in density.

How deep is the thermocline in the ocean?

thermocline, oceanic water layer in which water temperature decreases rapidly with increasing depth. A widespread permanent thermocline exists beneath the relatively warm, well-mixed surface layer, from depths of about 200 m (660 feet) to about 1,000 m (3,000 feet), in which interval temperatures diminish steadily.

What is an example of a thermocline?

A thermocline is a transition layer between deep and surface water (or mixed layer). A good example is a popular beverage where ice cold lemonade (deep water layer) is poured into a glass with warm ice tea (mixed layer) poured slowly on top of the lemonade.

What lives in the thermocline?

Bathypelagic (from 1,000 meters to 4,000 meters) – This region is characterized by having no available sunlight. There is no marine flora here, although certain bioluminescent species of fish are here (such as the angler fish). A characteristic creature that lives in this region is the giant squid.

Does every lake have a thermocline?

The lack of fish below 30 feet probably results from low dissolved oxygen in the lower portion of the thermocline. The reality is that a lot of fish are concentrated in the thermocline between 20 and 30 feet, and there is no reason to fish deeper. The thermocline will occur in every lake and pond without flow-through.

Is there a thermocline in the winter?

During the winter and early spring months there is no thermocline in the lakes. The temperature gradient per foot of depth is fairly even. As summer approaches and the water warms a thermocline develops and as summer advances the thermocline drops lower and lower.

How thermocline is formed?

A Thermocline is formed by the effect of the sun, which heats the surface of the water and keeps the upper parts of the ocean or water in a lake, warm. This causes a distinct line or boundary between the warmer water which is less dense and the colder denser water forming what is known as a thermocline.