temperature salinity stratification

Temperature-salinity stratification describes how layers in water bodies, like oceans or lakes, form because differences in temperature and salt content cause water to separate into distinct layers. Warmer, less salty water tends to sit on top, while colder, saltier water sinks below. This layering creates a stable structure that limits mixing between the layers. It affects processes like nutrient distribution, oxygen levels, and marine life habitats, playing a key role in the health and dynamics of aquatic environments.