Thermocline

As thermocline (from old - gr:. Thermos = hot and klínein = tend ) refers to the transition from water layers of different temperature. The original definition in limnology sat as thermocline depth with the maximum temperature gradient in a seemingly continuous transition range of temperatures in the metalimnion of a lake at. Later, more detailed measurements showed that relatively homogeneous water layers of the Metalimnions often marching in sharp jumps in temperature of a few centimeters thickness to each other so that a system of thermoclines exist, reflecting the different history of profound mixing events in the lake.

The formation of thermoclines is caused by the temperature-induced density differences of the water layers. But differences in density can also be caused by different levels of dissolved solids. In general, therefore, one speaks of Pyknoklinen, in the case of jumps in the solution content of chemo klinai.

Thermoclines are part of the thermal stratification of lakes and seas. Its location and severity varies seasonally. Due to the density anomaly of water lying over the summer warmer water layers on colder with a minimum temperature of 3.98 ° C. In winter, there are layers of water on top with lower temperatures.

At chemo klinai it may happen that warmer, but still denser water layers come to lie under colder. This is usually in meromictic lakes of the case and occasionally also in the sea at high salt hot water outlets before. It is alleged that divers should have it already scalded.

At thermoclines occur also sound anomalies that can be exploited by submarines to camouflage. Sonar can penetrate this layer, but does not provide accurate results. Another sound anomaly is the convergence zone.

Trivia

The term of the thermocline is treated in some detail in the novel In The Storm by Tom Clancy.

• Oceanography
• Limnology
• Diving