Final answer:
The stratification between shallow mixed ocean and deep ocean is indeed strongest due to the thermocline where warm and cold waters mix but do not easily blend, creating distinct environmental layers.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that stratification between shallow mixed ocean and deep ocean is strongest is True. Thermal stratification in the ocean creates distinct layers, where warm and cold waters mix due to ocean currents. This stratification is marked by a transition zone where the temperature changes rapidly with depth, known as the thermocline. The ocean can be divided into multiple zones: the photic zone, where sunlight penetrates and photosynthesis can occur; the aphotic zone, which receives little to no light; and the abyssal zone, characterized by very cold temperatures and high pressures. The deep ocean, which includes the aphotic and abyssal zones, differs significantly from the mixed shallow layers just below the photic zone leading to pronounced stratification.