Which mechanism causes oceanic stratification when freshwater runoff increases from glacial streams?

💡 Explanation

When freshwater runoff increases, reduced salinity leads to halocline formation because freshwater dilutes the surface ocean layers, decreasing their density relative to deeper, saltier water. Therefore, stratification results due to differing densities rather than changing temperatures or downwelling from increased density.

• Which outcome is directly caused by increased meander cutoff along entrenched river streams?
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• Which mechanism generates stable, slow-moving 'laminar' flow in a meandering stream channel?
• Which effect primarily results when coastal upwelling significantly diminishes due to weakened trade winds?
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• Which outcome results downstream of the Pacific Equatorial Undercurrent during a strong El Niño event?