lake stratification
Water column zonation
Lake stratification is the separation of a lake into distinct horizontal layers based on water temperature and density.
In summer, warm water floats on cooler, denser water below, creating stable layers that resist mixing.
The phenomenon affects oxygen distribution, nutrient cycling, and aquatic life throughout the water column.
Stratification typically breaks down in fall and spring when surface temperatures change, allowing the lake to mix.
Rapid temperature-change layer
- haloclineSharp saltiness change layer
- thermal barrierSubstance blocking temperature transfer
- isothermConstant-temperature boundary line
- water columnVertical section of sea
Lacking molecular oxygen
- oxygen depletionRemoval of breathable gas
- eutrophicationExcess nutrients depleting oxygen
- stagnationAbsence of flow or progress
- dissolved oxygenOxygen in water
Photosynthetic aquatic drifters
- cold-water fishAquatic species preferring low temperatures
- refugiaIsolated survival zones
- biodiversityRange of life forms
- nursery habitatArea supporting early life stages
Regular periodic staff departure
- circulationMovement through a system
- isothermalAt uniform temperature
- coolingLosing thermal energy
- thermal inversionWarm air trapping cold
thermocline
Rapid temperature-change layer
- haloclineSharp saltiness change layer
- thermal barrierSubstance blocking temperature transfer
- isothermConstant-temperature boundary line
anoxic
Lacking molecular oxygen
- oxygen depletionRemoval of breathable gas
- eutrophicationExcess nutrients depleting oxygen
- stagnationAbsence of flow or progress
dissolved oxygen · dead zone · algal bloom · water quality · thermal mass
phytoplankton
Photosynthetic aquatic drifters
- cold-water fishAquatic species preferring low temperatures
- refugiaIsolated survival zones
- biodiversityRange of life forms
seasonal turnover
Regular periodic staff departure
- circulationMovement through a system
- isothermalAt uniform temperature
- coolingLosing thermal energy
- hydrologyrivers, streamflow, aquifers, aquifer, watershed
- lake icelake ice, frozen lake, ice cover, thin ice, thick ice
- Kivu Regioncoltan, mountain gorillas, conflict minerals, gorillas
lakes, stratum, lakefront, stratify, stratified, strata, stratification, lakebed, stratifying