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Mixing processes in lakes: mechanisms and ecological relevance

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Abstract

In Lake Baldegg, Switzerland (surface area 5.3 km2, maximum depth 66 m) the analysis of data from moored instrument systems (atmospheric boundary layer, lake temperature distribution, bottom currents) was correlated to the long-term development of vertical mixing as seen from profiles of natural isotopes (radon-222, tritium and helium-3) and chemical species. The investigation shows: 1. Vertical mixing coefficients below 25 m are small. Consequently the vertical concentration distribution of sediment emanating species in the deep hypolimnion is controlled by the bottom topography. 2. Renewal of deep hypolimnic water is significant even during stratification. 3. Weakly damped internal waves characterize the internal dynamics during stratification. 4. Horizontal bottom currents play an important role in the hypolimnion mixing and can be correlated to internal waves during stratification.

Zusammenfassung

Mischungsprozesse in Seen finden auf einer breiten Skala von Längen- und Zeitmaßstäben statt. Für die Entwicklung aquatischer Ökosysteme ist dabei die vertikale Mischung von besonderer Bedeutung. In einer Langzeitstudie im Baldeggersee, einem hocheutrophen Schweizer See (Oberfläche 5,3 km2, grösste Tiefe 66 m), wurde die Dynamik physikalischer Parameter (Meteorologie, Wassertemperatur, Bodenströmung) mit verankerten Messgeräten erfasst. Gleichzeitig wurden Profile natürlicher Isotope (Radon-222, Tritium und Helium-3) sowie chemischer Parameter (Phosphor, Methan, Sulfid, Ammonium und andere) genommen. Die Analyse der Daten zeigt; 1. Im Hypolimnium ist die vertikale Mischung klein. Dadurch gewinnt im tiefen Hypolimnium die Bodentopographie entscheidenden Einfluss auf die vertikale Konzentrationsverteilung sedimentbürtiger Stoffe. 2. Die Erneuerung von Tiefenwasser findet auch während der Stratifizierung statt. 3. Interne Wellen bestimmen während der Stratifizierung die interne Dynamik des Sees. 4. Horizontale Strömungen am Seegrund, die sich mit den internen Wellen korrelieren lassen, beeinflussen entscheidend die Mischung im Hypolimnion.

Résumé

Une étude à long terme a été faite dans le lac de Baldegg, un lac suisse très eutrophe, d'une superficie série 5,3 km et d'une profondeur maximale de 66 m. Des paramètres physiques ont été pris par une série d'instruments ancrés (météorologie, température de l'eau, courants de fond). En même temps, le profil des isotopes naturels (radon-222, tritium et hélium-3) ainsi que des paramètres chimiques (phosphore, méthane, sulfure, ammonium et autres) ont été mesurés. L'analyse des données montre: 1. Le mélange vertical dans l'hypolimnion est faible. Par ce fait, dans l'hypolimnion profond, la distribution verticale de la concentration des matières chimiques provenant du sédiment est largement influencée par la topographie du fond. 2. Le renouvellement de l'eau profonde a aussi lieu pendant la stratification. 3. Des vagues internes déterminent la dynamique interne du lac pendant la stratification. 4. Des courants de fond horizontaux jouent un rôle important dans le mélange de l'hypolimnion et peuvent être corrélés aux vagues internes pendant la stratification.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Swiss Federal Institute for Water Resources and Water Pollution Control (EAWAG) at Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology (ETH), CH-8600, Dübendorf, Switzerland

    D. M. Imboden, U. Lemmin, T. Joller & M. Schurter

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  1. D. M. Imboden
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  2. U. Lemmin
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  3. T. Joller
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  4. M. Schurter
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Supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation within the framework of its National Research Program on ‘Fundamental problems of the water cycle in Switzerland’.

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Imboden, D.M., Lemmin, U., Joller, T. et al. Mixing processes in lakes: mechanisms and ecological relevance. Schweiz. Z. Hydrologie 45, 11–44 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02538150

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