Persistent weak thermal stratification inhibits mixing in the epilimnion of north-temperate Lake Opeongo, Canada

Abstract

Persistent weak temperature stratification characterizes the epilimnion of Lake Opeongo, Ontario, Canada, and reduces the magnitude of turbulent mixing. Throughout July and August 2009, the epilimnion was isothermal for only 34 % of the record, while for 28 % of the record there was at least a 2 °C temperature difference across the 5 m deep epilimnion. During these stratified periods, there were increases in gradient Richardson numbers (Rig), and decreases in rates of dissipation of turbulent kinetic energy (\(\varepsilon\)), the turbulence activity parameter (I = e/νN2), an indicator of active mixing, and vertical eddy diffusivity (Kz) inferred from temperature microstructure profiles. During periods of shear induced mixing, values of e approached 10−6 m2 s−3 and decreased during periods of increasing Rig. For 0 1, average values of I were ~300 and Kz was reduced by one to three orders of magnitude. Mixing during cold fronts occurred over time scales of minutes to hours, which worked to erode diurnal thermoclines. However, during periods of persistent secondary thermoclines, mixing was suppressed throughout the epilimnion.