Editing Halocline (section)

== Salinity and density ==
Salinity is directly responsible for density distribution and stratification within the ocean (as seen in the [[pycnocline]]). This stratification is necessary for the formation of sea ice for example in high-latitude oceans the halocline prevents warm saline Atlantic waters from mixing with the cold surface layer allowing for ice growth.<ref name="Vertical Stability">{{cite book |last1=Metzner |first1=E.P.|title=Determining Arctic Ocean Halocline and Cold Halostad Depths Based on Vertical Stability |date=2023 |publisher=Ocean Science |doi=10.5194/os-19-1453-2023 |page=1453-1464 |doi-access=free |url=https://os.copernicus.org/articles/19/1453/2023/}}</ref> The Arctic halocline has a distinct low-salinity layer that limits deep convection and maintains the stability of the water column.<ref name="Sources">{{cite journal |last1=Rudels |first1=B. |title=Atlantic Sources of the Arctic Ocean Surface and Halocline Waters |date=2004 |journal=Polar Research|volume=23 |issue=2 |doi=10.3402/polar.v23i2.6278|page=181-208 |url=https://polarresearch.net/index.php/polar/article/view/2085|doi-access=free }}</ref> Conversely, there are places (like the Baltic Sea) where the halocline depth and salinity are affected by river runoff. Here fresh water is introduced into the upper layers and mixed by wind which influences density gradients and deepwater ventilation.<ref name="Variability">{{cite journal |last1=Väli |first1=G. |title=Simulated Halocline Variability in the Baltic Sea and Its Impact on Hypoxia During 1961–2007 |journal=Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans |date=2013 |volume=118 |issue=12 |publisher=Journal of Geophysical Research |doi=10.1002/2013JC009192|page=118 |url=https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/2013JC009192}}</ref>