Long-term water temperature changes in Seneca Lake and their nexus to climate change and human activities

Abstract

While many freshwater lakes have witnessed a rapid increase in surface water temperatures, the trends in subsurface water temperatures are not well-understood. This study explored the long-term subsurface water temperature change and its connection to climate change and human activities in Seneca Lake. Utilizing linear regression and the Theil-Sen estimator, the study identified a significant monotonic temperature trend in the subsurface water. Principal component and contribution analyses revealed that climate changes, particularly air warming, were more critical in explaining water temperature patterns, and human activities such as land cover change could exacerbate the impact of climate change. Using remotely sensed surface water temperature data, the study found a significant positive correlation between thermal pollution and water temperatures in the northern region of the lake, and after incorporating control variables, the regression analysis suggested that the adverse effects of thermal pollution are primarily confined to the area adjacent to the power plant. This research can offer fresh insights into lake ecology improvement and management strategies.