Which thermal effect causes increased stratification when freshwater runoff alters coastal circulation?

💡 Explanation

When freshwater runoff increases, it lowers salinity and density near the surface and since the water absorbs heat from the atmosphere without mixing, the resulting density gradient amplifies the thermocline, resisting the convective mixing. Therefore, intensified temperature variations develop, rather than albedo changes, evaporation increases, or altering specific heat capacity, necessitating other drivers.

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