A halocline is a layer in a body of water where there is a rapid change in salinity with depth. This phenomenon typically occurs in oceanic and large freshwater environments, such as lakes. The halocline acts as a barrier that can separate different water masses with varying salinity, affecting water density and, consequently, mixing patterns and circulation in the water body.
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A layer with a pronounced vertical change in salinity is a halocline. When relatively fresh surface water lies over saltier water, its contribution to density stratification inhibits vertical exchange. A cold Arctic halocline can separate sea ice from warmer Atlantic water; increased heat at depth does not imply an equally increased ocean heat flux at the ice unless the intervening exchange also changes.