Q. Which one of the following is correctly matched?
a) Ecocline – Biodiversity
b) Pycnocline – Sea water density
c) Thermocline – Air temperature
d) Halocline – Sea water temperature
Question from UPPSC Prelims 2024
Correct Answer: b) Pycnocline – Sea water density
Explanation:
1. Ecocline – Biodiversity
– This is incorrect. An ecocline refers to a gradual transition or gradient between two ecosystems or communities, often marked by changes in environmental conditions (e.g., moisture, temperature). It is not directly related to biodiversity.
2. Pycnocline – Sea water density
– This is correct. A pycnocline is a layer in a body of water where there is a rapid change in water density with depth. This change in density is typically caused by variations in temperature (thermocline) or salinity (halocline).
3. Thermocline – Air temperature
– This is incorrect. A thermocline refers to a layer in a body of water where there is a rapid change in temperature with depth, not air temperature.
4. Halocline – Sea water temperature
– This is incorrect. A halocline refers to a layer in a body of water where there is a rapid change in salinity with depth, not temperature.
Conclusion: The correct match is b) Pycnocline – Sea water density.
