Question

Explain vertical distribution of ocean water temperature.

Answer 1

Vertical Distribution of Temperature

The maximum temperature of the oceans is always on the surface because it directly receives the insolation. The heat is transmitted to the lower sections of the oceans through the mechanism of conduction. Solar rays very effectively penetrate up to 20m depth. Consequently, the temperature decreases from the ocean surface with increasing depth but the rate of decrease of temperature with increasing depth is not uniform everywhere. The temperature falls very rapidly up to the depth of 200m and thereafter the rate of decrease of temperature is slowed down.