Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

pycnocline

noun

/ˈpɪk.nəˌklaɪn/

Definition

A layer in a body of water where the water’s density changes rapidly with depth.

Examples

During summer, the pycnocline in the lake was clearly visible due to temperature stratification.
Marine biologists study the pycnocline to understand how different species are distributed in the ocean.

Meaning

The pycnocline is primarily formed due to differences in temperature and salinity, which lead to variations in density. This layer is crucial in oceanography as it affects water mixing and marine life distribution.