thermocline
Meaning: A distinct layer in a body of water where the temperature changes rapidly with depth, separating warmer surface water from the colder deep water below.
The thermocline acts as a barrier to vertical mixing, effectively dividing a lake or ocean into stratified layers. In temperate lakes, a seasonal thermocline develops in summer as the sun heats the surface, and breaks down in autumn when cooling and wind mix the layers again. In the open ocean, a permanent thermocline exists at depths of roughly 200 to 1,000 metres. The concept is important in fisheries, submarine navigation, and climate science. It collocates with 'depth,' 'seasonal,' 'permanent,' 'stratification,' and 'mixing.'
Examples
- Divers noticed a sharp drop in water temperature as they descended through the thermocline at around fifteen metres. 潜水员在下潜至约15米深处穿过温跃层时,注意到水温急剧下降。Los buceadores notaron un descenso brusco de la temperatura del agua al descender a través de la termoclina a unos quince metros.ダイバーたちは約15メートルの深さで水温躍層を通過する際、水温が急激に低下するのに気づきました。다이버들은 약 15미터 깊이에서 수온약층을 통과할 때 수온이 급격히 떨어지는 것을 느꼈습니다.
- The seasonal thermocline in Windermere prevents nutrients in the cold bottom water from reaching the sunlit surface during summer. 温德米尔湖的季节性温跃层在夏季阻止了冷底水中的营养物质到达受阳光照射的水面。La termoclina estacional del lago Windermere impide que los nutrientes del agua fría del fondo alcancen la superficie iluminada durante el verano.ウィンダミア湖の季節的な水温躍層は、夏季に冷たい底層水の栄養素が日光の届く水面に到達するのを妨げます。윈더미어 호수의 계절적 수온약층은 여름 동안 차가운 저층수의 영양소가 햇빛이 닿는 수면에 도달하는 것을 방해합니다.
- Submarine captains exploit the thermocline to hide from sonar detection, as the temperature gradient refracts sound waves. 潜艇艇长利用温跃层躲避声呐探测,因为温度梯度会折射声波。Los capitanes de submarino aprovechan la termoclina para eludir la detección por sonar, ya que el gradiente de temperatura refracta las ondas sonoras.潜水艦の艦長は水温躍層を利用してソナー探知を回避します。温度勾配が音波を屈折させるためです。잠수함 함장은 수온약층을 이용하여 소나 탐지를 회피합니다. 온도 기울기가 음파를 굴절시키기 때문입니다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: academic, professional
Tone: neutral
Origin & History
From Greek thermos (heat, warm) and klinein (to lean, slope). Coined in the early 20th century by oceanographers studying temperature stratification.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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