Lämpötilakerrokset

Lämpötilakerrokset refer to the distinct layers within a body of water that exhibit different temperature characteristics. These layers form primarily due to the density of water, which varies with temperature. In most freshwater bodies, water is densest at approximately 4 degrees Celsius. During the summer, solar radiation heats the surface water, creating a warmer, less dense layer. Below this, a layer of rapidly changing temperature, known as the thermocline, separates the warm surface layer from the cooler, denser water at deeper levels. In winter, if the surface freezes, the coldest water (just above freezing) will be at the surface, with warmer, denser water (closer to 4 degrees Celsius) found at the bottom. This stratification influences the distribution of dissolved oxygen and nutrients, and consequently, the distribution and behavior of aquatic organisms. In the spring and autumn, mixing events can occur as surface and deep waters become similar in temperature and density, leading to a more uniform temperature throughout the water column. This mixing is crucial for replenishing oxygen in deeper waters and distributing nutrients. The specific depth and thickness of these thermal layers can vary significantly depending on factors such as water body size, depth, latitude, and prevailing weather conditions.