Question

How permanent does stratification caused by differences in salinity appear to be?

Answer 1

Stratification caused by differences in salinity can appear to be relatively permanent in certain situations, particularly in highly saline environments such as salt marshes or hypersaline lakes. In these cases, the stratification can be maintained by the constant input of salty water from sources such as the ocean or underground salt deposits.

However, in other environments such as estuaries or coastal areas where freshwater input can vary seasonally or due to changes in weather patterns, the stratification caused by differences in salinity may be more temporary and can fluctuate over time. Additionally, human activities such as damming rivers or altering natural water flow can also disrupt salinity stratification and lead to changes in the distribution of saltwater and freshwater.

Overall, the permanence of stratification caused by differences in salinity can vary depending on the specific environment and factors influencing saltwater and freshwater distribution.