Question

Thermocline is a constituent of which of the following layer:
A. Epilimnion
B. Metalimnion
C. Hypolimnion
D. None of the above

Answer 1

Hint:To answer this question first we should know what is thermocline and where it is present in the ocean. The thermocline is also called the thermal layer or the metalimnion in the lake.

Complete answer:
Given, a thermocline layer and we have to find out the constituent part.
The thermocline is the transition zone or layer between the warmer mixed water at the ocean surface and the cooler layer present in deep water below.
In the diagram we can see epilimnion is more directly exposed to the sun and thus has the warmer water and this layer is present at the ocean surface.
The hypolimnion layer is present in the deep sea and at this layer or zone, the water is very cool as it is not exposed to the sun and no energy transfer can take place apart from the convection.
Significance of thermocline-
It is the layer that helps to differentiate between the temperature of the water that is water above this layer is warmer and below it is colder.

So, the transition zone formed between these layers is termed as the thermocline.

Fig. Lake showing the distribution of various layer (epilimnion, metalimnion, and hypolimnion).

Note: Remember, epilimnion is the layer containing the warmer water, hypolimnion is the layer containing the cold layer and the metalimnion layer is present in the middle of these two layers.