Which process predominantly controls the salinity stratification in meromictic lakes?

💡 Explanation

When meromictic lakes form, salinity gradients create a density difference that inhibits complete mixing; molecular diffusion slowly balances the concentrations because it is the background process always present, enabling long-term stratification. Therefore molecular diffusion drives salinity stratification, rather than wind-driven mixing that is suppressed by haloclines; photosynthesis and ion exchange are less relevant to the deep stratification.

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