The region of the vertical depth profile where water temperature declines most rapidly is the
A)thermocline.
B)hypolimnion.
C)epilimnion.
D)benthic zone.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The thermocline is the layer in a body of water where there is a rapid decline in temperature with depth. This zone is often characterized by a boundary layer where the water temperature changes quickly over a short distance. The hypolimnion is the layer below the thermocline in a lake or reservoir where the water is typically cold and stagnant, while the epilimnion is the uppermost layer where the water is warmer and well-mixed by wind and and other physical processes. The benthic zone is the lowest layer of water adjacent to the bottom substrate, and is not directly related to temperature stratification.

The Region of the Vertical Depth Profile Where Water Temperature