How permanent does stratification caused by difference in salinity

Answer 1

Stratification caused by differences in salinity can be relatively permanent in certain environments, particularly in regions with strong haloclines (sharp boundaries between layers of water with different salinity levels). This can be seen in areas such as saltwater estuaries, where fresh and saltwater layers remain relatively distinct due to differences in density and buoyancy.

However, in other environments such as the open ocean, stratification caused by salinity differences may be more temporary and subject to mixing processes such as wind-driven turbulence or upwelling. In these cases, the salinity stratification can change over time as different water masses mix and interact.

Overall, the permanence of stratification caused by differences in salinity depends on the specific characteristics of the environment and the strength of the processes driving water mixing and circulation.