Thermoclina: what is, types and how it is formed

Thermoclin is a phenomenon present in bodies of waterwhether oceans, lakes or rivers, which manifests itself as a vertical layer in the water column where a fast temperature change. This abrupt transition occurs between two strata of water with different temperatures and is generally located at a certain depth.

The formation of thermoclin is influenced by various factors, being the Solar radiation One of the main ones. During the day, the surface of the water absorbs solar energy, which causes a more pronounced heating in the surface layer. This hot layerknown as Epilimnion In the case of Lagos, it is on thermoclina. In contrast, under thermoclina there is a colder layercall Hypolimnion.

During the warmer stations, thermoclin is usually more evident, since the temperature difference between the epilimnion and the hypolimnion is more marked. However, in winter, with the decrease in solar radiation, thermoclin tends to weaken or even disappear, leading to a more uniform vertical mixing process in the water column.

This thermal stratification is crucial for the ecology of the body of water, since it affects The distribution of nutrients, aquatic life and water mixing patterns. Thermoclin is not only limited to fresh water bodies, but is also a common phenomenon in oceans. In this context, thermoclina can influence the patterns of migration of marine organisms and in the oceanic circulation.

There are different types of thermoclins that vary according to the way in which they are established and the specific conditions of the water body. These are some of the most common thermoclins that exist:

• Seasonal thermoclin: This thermoclina varies with the stations and is more pronounced during the warmer months of the year. In temperate climates, for example, seasonal thermoclin is usually more evident in summer, when solar radiation is more intense and heated the surface layer of water.
• Permanent thermoclin: Unlike seasonal thermoclin, permanent thermoclin persists throughout the year. This type is typical in tropical regions where the surface temperature of the water is warm, but the deeper layers remain colder. In these cases, thermoclin can be a limiting factor for the vertical mixture of water.
• Diurnal thermoclin: Day thermoclina is formed and faded in a daily cycle. During the day, solar radiation heats the surface of the water, creating a thermoclin, but at night, with heat loss, this thermal layer tends to disappear. This pattern can be seen in lakes and reservoirs.
• Annual thermoclin: This type of thermoclina is more common in lakes and is formed as a result of seasonal changes in solar radiation. Throughout the year, thermoclin can vary in its intensity and depth, thus affecting thermal stratification and distribution of aquatic organisms.
• Thermoclina of artificial origin: In some cases, human activity can generate thermoclins. For example, hot water release from an energy plant can create a thermoclin in a body of nearby water. These artificial thermoclinas can have significant effects on local ecology and the patterns of behavior of aquatic life.

The formation and persistence of thermoclins are closely related to factors such as solar radiation, the topography of the bottom of the water body, its geometry and the presence of winds. Therefore, that one type or another of thermoclina is formed will depend on these factors.

The formation of thermoclins is related to the Exchange of thermal energy between water and its surroundingsmainly driven by solar radiation. Follow this process:

1. During the day, solar radiation affects the surface of the water. Water absorbs solar energyresulting in an increase in temperature in the surface layer.
2. The upper water body, known as Epilimnion in Lagos, is heated more quickly due to its direct exposure to the sun. This warming generates a Temperature difference with the deepest layers.
3. He Desigual warming causes one Difference in water density between the hot epilimnion and the coldest layers of the hypolimnion. Hot water is less dense and tends to remain on the surface, while colder water is denser and is found in the deepest layers.
4. The interface between the hot epilimnion and the coldest hypolimnion is known as thermoclina. This is where the most pronounced temperature change occurs. Thermoclin can vary in its depth and intensity depending on the amount of solar radiation, the depth of the body of water and other local factors.
5. The topography of the bottom of the body of water and the presence of winds They can also influence the formation and stability of thermoclin. For example, in deeper lakes, thermoclin can be more pronounced, while in more shallow water bodies, the vertical mixture can be more frequent.
6. Overnightwith the absence of solar radiation, the epilimnion loses heat, and Thermoclina tends to weaken or even disappear. This process is more evident in daytime thermoclins, where training and dissipation occur in a 24 -hour cycle.

Now you know what thermoclina is, so we invite you to read these other articles about water curiosities and what is the hydrosphere: definition and characteristics.

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