Isopycnal
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| Pelagic | |
| Photic | |
| Epipelagic | |
| Aphotic | |
| Mesopelagic | |
| Bathyalpelagic | |
| Abyssopelagic | |
| Hadopelagic | |
| Demersal | |
| Benthic | |
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| Pycnocline | |
| Isopycnal | |
| Chemocline | |
| Halocline | |
| Thermocline | |
| Thermohaline | |
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An isopycnal is a surface of constant potential density of water. In the ocean, as the depth increases, so too does the density. Varying degrees of salinity and temperature act to modify the density of water, and the denser water always lies below the less dense water. Because of the action of winds and currents, isopycnals are not always level.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Glossary of Physical Oceanography and Related Disciplines isopycnal
- Dictionary definition of isopycnal
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