Water mass formation

{
  "id": "MLC-T-MET-010108",
  "term": "Water mass formation",
  "field": "Meteorology and atmospheric science",
  "definition": "The process by which a large body of seawater acquires its characteristic temperature and salinity at the ocean surface through interaction with the atmosphere. Air-sea exchanges of heat and freshwater (through evaporation and precipitation) modify the surface water's density. When the water becomes dense enough, it sinks and spreads into the ocean interior, contributing to thermohaline circulation.",
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/meteorology/water-mass-formation/"
}