Task: Class Definition Understanding (ontology: Earth_Environment/SWEET)

Which of the following definitions best describes 'halocline'?

A. The the concept is the part of the sea or ocean (or deep lake) comprising the water column that is near to (and is significantly affected by) the seabed and the benthos. The the concept is just above the benthic zone and forms a layer of the larger profundal zone.
B. The the concept is the well-lit, open surface waters farther from shore in a lake. It is surrounded by the littoral zone and above the profundal zone
C. In oceanography, a the concept is a strong, vertical salinity gradient. Because salinity (in concert with temperature) affects the density of seawater, it can play a role in its vertical stratification.
D. Benthic means anything associated with or happening on the bottom of a body of water. The the concept of the ocean is the bottom ocean zone ranging from the deepest parts of the ocean to the tidal affected areas. The most productive region of the the concept is the area over the continental margin, which is unaffected by the tides.

Answer: In oceanography, a the concept is a strong, vertical salinity gradient. Because salinity (in concert with temperature) affects the density of seawater, it can play a role in its vertical stratification.