lämpötilakerrostuneisuus

A temperature layer, or thermocline, is a stratum within a body of water characterized by a rapid drop in temperature over a relatively short vertical distance. This transition zone separates the warmer surface waters from the colder, deeper waters. In many lakes and oceans, seasonal temperature variations lead to the formation of distinct temperature layers. During warmer months, solar radiation heats the surface layer, creating a warmer epilimnion. Below this, the thermocline acts as a barrier, preventing efficient mixing between the epilimnion and the cooler, denser hypolimnion.

The depth and intensity of the thermocline can vary depending on factors such as latitude, season, water depth, and wind exposure. In tropical regions, thermoclines may be permanent, while in temperate zones, they often develop in summer and disappear in autumn as surface waters cool and mix with deeper layers. The presence of a strong thermocline can significantly impact aquatic ecosystems. It can influence the distribution of dissolved oxygen, nutrients, and organisms, as well as affect the rate of gas exchange between the atmosphere and the water. For example, the lack of mixing across the thermocline can lead to oxygen depletion in the hypolimnion.