Improving the thermocline calculation over the global ocean

Abstract. According to the typical thermal structure of ocean, water column can be divided into three layers: mixed layer, thermocline and deep layer. In this study, we provide a new methodology, based on function adjustment temperature profile, locate minimum maximum depths strongest thermocline. We first validated our methodology by comparing layer depth obtained with method proposed here other methods from previous studies. Since found very good agreement between four used compute monthly climatologies thickness strength in global ocean. also an assessment regions ocean where is valid, i.e., follows three-layer structure. However, there are cannot separated layers due dynamic processes that alter it. This highlights limitations existing accurately determine oceanic particularly turbulent such as Southern Ocean northern North Atlantic, among others. The has shown robust easy apply.