temperature-salinity diagram
Quick Summary
A temperature-salinity (T-S) diagram is a graph used in oceanography to plot seawater samples based on their temperature and salinity. Each distinct water mass has a unique T-S signature, causing samples from that mass to cluster in specific areas on the diagram.1
These diagrams are valuable research tools. A well-mixed body of water will appear as a single point, while different water masses mixing together will form a curve, indicating the mixing process. T-S diagrams help oceanographers understand water circulation, heat transfer, and identify different water masses within the ocean.234
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