ocean stratification

Ocean stratification refers to the layering of seawater based on differences in temperature, salinity, and density. Warmer, less salty water tends to stay near the surface, while colder, saltier, and denser water sinks deeper. These layers create stable strata that limit mixing between surface and deeper waters. This stratification influences climate, marine life distribution, and nutrient cycling, as it affects how oxygen and nutrients move within the ocean. Essentially, stratification results in a structured, layered ocean where properties vary with depth, impacting ecological and physical processes.