Lake turnover is a process where the entire volume of water in a lake is mixed with the wind. This happens when the whole lake has the same temperature. It is in northern Ontario and happens two times per year after the ice melts in spring and before the fall when ice forms. To learn what is the importance of turnover in temperate lakes and how turnover in a lake occurs, read the post and enrich your knowledge.
1. What is the Importance of Turnover in Temperate Lakes?
The turnover happens when the lake has a uniform temperature and density. Let us see what is the importance of turnover in temperate lakes. Lake turnover is important in freshwater lakes for refilling dissolved oxygen levels throughout the lake. If the lake is flaky in the summer months, the cool deep water becomes very low in oxygen. The wind moves the surface water which is highly oxygenated. (See Which River is Smallest in the Length?)
2. How does the Turnover in a Lake Happens?
- Cold water is more compact than warm water during winter. The water bodies such as lakes become layered based on temperature. The cold-water drops to the bottom when the warm water floats to the top.
- During summer, the lake’s surface water is creamy and warmed by the sun. The water at the bottom of the pond is the coldest, densest, and has the least amount of oxygen content. The season change and surface water also cool down at the same temperature. If more oxygen is drained than the oxygenated water, the oxygen levels in the lake fall during the turnover.
- In spring the turnover happens when there is warm weather before winter, and the topmost layer warms up. The ice melts the surface temperature rises and finally, the warmer water at the bottom of the lake slowly depletes the oxygen and develops harmful gas.
3. What is the Advantage of Turnover in Tropical Lakes?
The big advantage of tropical lakes is that they do not freeze. They have spring turnover the same way temperate lakes do. (See What is the Largest Man-made Lake in USA?)
4. Which Temperature Suits for Turnover?
Water temperatures are the most important factor for the turnover as Northern and Central Wisconsin cools down within a month during the turning process. Water is most dense at 39ºF as it increases and decreases and could become less dense and lighter. Turnover happens at 50ºF over the lake. Must read 10 Elements of Weather
5. Can Lake Turnover be Prevented?
Lake turnovers happen naturally and cannot be prevented. However, some proper aeration techniques would help the turnover differ. The danger of the turnover happens with the overall depletion of oxygen levels when the water is mixed. Consistent water would help in maintaining healthy oxygen levels. This release of air will help keep the lake oxygenated at a consistent temperature. The ducting will release the bubbles from the bottom of the lake and after the bubbles float upwards they mix with the water and releases the gasses. It can be done for the lake which is 15 feet deep. (See Large Body of Seawater is called?)
6. Does Lakes and Ponds Change Colour?
- The lakes change color from pleasant blue to brown or green, it is caused by the overflow of nutrients and carbon which is matched with warmer temperatures.
- Lakes are caused by eutrophication, which is a process where added nutrients promote plant and algae growth which turns lakes green, lowers oxygen levels in the water, and could be harmful.
- Color changes when there is an increase in organic carbon darkens the lake and increases its decomposition. Climate change can adversely affect the conditions more frequently with storms which destroy the nutrients and organic matter from the landscape.
Freshwater lakes experience lake turnover because it’s crucial to replenish the dissolved oxygen levels throughout the lake. In the summer, the lake is warmer, and the oxygen content of cold water is less. When the turnover occurs, the lake’s temperature and density are uniform and wind energy can be used for several purposes. The majority of dangerous aquatic animals experience this, and it occurs in freshwater lakes. I hope this was useful information regarding what is the importance of turnover in temperate lakes which explained the advantage of turnover in a lake. (See What is the Largest Saltwater Lake in the World?)
