Cold halocline
= Cold halocline
The Arctic cold halocline is a near-freezing layer in which <salinity> increases downward and produces <stable density stratification>, helping isolate <sea ice> from warmer water below. It can be maintained through shelf-water input, cooling and limited winter convection of inflowing waters, followed by freshwater capping and advection. Its formation cannot be inferred from shelf area alone: water-mass volumes, salt budgets and residence times matter.