Monomiktic

Monomiktic refers to a type of lake that exhibits only one period of mixing, or overturn, each year. This is in contrast to dimictic lakes, which mix twice annually. Monomictic lakes are typically found in regions with climates that result in a persistent stratification of water temperature throughout much of the year.

There are two main types of monomictic lakes: warm monomictic and cold monomictic. In warm monomictic lakes, the surface water is warmer than the bottom water for most of the year, with a single mixing event occurring when the surface temperature cools to match the deeper water. This usually happens during the autumn. Cold monomictic lakes, on the other hand, have surface waters that are colder than the bottom waters for most of the year, with mixing occurring when the surface warms to the temperature of the deeper water, typically during the spring.

The stratification in monomictic lakes is driven by density differences in water, which are primarily influenced by temperature. During periods of stratification, the lake develops distinct layers, with warmer, less dense water on top of cooler, denser water. This stratification can significantly impact the distribution of oxygen and nutrients within the lake, affecting aquatic life. The single mixing event in monomictic lakes is crucial for replenishing oxygen to the deeper layers and redistributing nutrients throughout the water column.