Potential density
The potential density of a fluid parcel at pressure is the density that the parcel would acquire if adiabatically brought to a reference pressure
, often 1 bar (100 kPa). Whereas density changes with changing pressure, potential density of a fluid parcel is conserved as the pressure experienced by the parcel changes (provided no mixing with other parcels or net heat flux occurs). The concept is used in oceanography and (to a lesser extent) atmospheric science.