What is the thermocline? What causes the development of a thermocline?

A thermocline is the transition layer in a body of water, such as oceans and lakes, where temperature changes rapidly with increased depth due to differences in water density. Factors contributing to the development of a thermocline include solar radiation, wind and currents, seasonal changes, and salinity gradients. Solar radiation heats the surface water, forming a warm layer above the cooler, denser water. Wind and ocean currents can mix upper layers and produce a thermocline when colder water meets warmer water. Seasonal changes can cause variations in thermocline intensity, with stronger thermoclines in warm months and weaker or non-existent ones in colder months. Finally, salinity gradients contribute to thermocline formation, with less saline surface water floating above denser, saltier water.