Chapter 44, Problem 1VCQ

Figure 44.10 How might turnover in tropical lakes differ from turnover in lakes that exist in temperate regions?

Summary Introduction

To discuss:

The turnover in tropical lakes differs from turnover in lakes existing in temperate regions.

Introduction:

Lake turnover is the process in which the water of the lake turns over from top to bottom. This happens only when the temperature of the water changes drastically due to weather conditions.

Explanation of Solution

Lake turnover is the process in which the water of the lake turns over from top to bottom. This happens only when the temperature of the water changes drastically due to weather conditions. During summer, the surface is the warmest because it gets heated by the sun while the deepest layer is coldest as the sun’s radiation does not reach the bottom.

In freshwater lakes, the spring and fall turnovers are important processes that take place. It helps to move the nutrients and oxygen at the bottom of deep lakes to the top. As you know that the density of water is maximum at 4(C. In temperate region lakes, during summer, the surface temperature of the water is warm due to the outside temperature. But during winter, surface water cools and sinks to the bottom as the density increases. This results in the bottom water to come to the surface and the surface water is forced to occupy the bottom.

We can note that tropical lakes don’t freeze as their temperatures are always above 10(C and hence these lakes don’t undergo a spring turnover as the way temperate lakes do.

Conclusion

The tropical lakes don’t freeze and hence based on their high temperatures do not allow for spring takeover as the temperate lakes do.