What effect does increased temperature have on water density?

Increased temperature decreases water density because as water is heated, the molecules gain energy and move more vigorously, causing them to move apart from each other. This increased kinetic energy results in an expansion of the water, which reduces its density. Generally, warmer water occupies more volume than cooler water, leading to a decrease in density.

Understanding this relationship is crucial in various oceanographic contexts, such as stratification in bodies of water, buoyancy of marine life, and the behavior of ocean currents. The other options do not accurately reflect the physical properties of water and its response to temperature changes. For instance, while salinity does affect water density, it does not exclusively determine it, as temperature plays a significant role as well.