In: Biology
midsem_2017_Ls4208
6. Define pycnocline. What is the significance of global drifter array in understanding ocean temperature? How seasonal thermocline is formed?[1+3+2=6 marks]
Pycnocline is the boundary between the river fed freshwater at the surface of the bay and deeper ocean fed saltwater
or
Pycnocline is the layer in the water body or ocean where the water density increases rapidly with depth
Significance of global drifter array in understanding ocean temperature
i) Used to validate or calibrate satellite temperature
ii) Valuable after volcanic eruptions when satellite data are biased
iii) Determining the interannual variations and longterm trends in earths temperature
How seasonal thermocline is formed: