Temperature Behavior of a Natural Shallow Water Body during a Summer Period

Summary For many biological processes, the daily and seasonal behavior of the temperature of the water layer close to the water surface is very important. An example is the development of larvas of mosquito species which develop in small still water bodies. An outdoor experiment during a summer period of four months has been executed in a small water body situated within a bog area, in order to obtain insight into the daily and seasonal temperature behavior of this water body. The measurements show that during daytime a strong thermal stratification occurs in the water body and that during nighttime a well mixed layer develops growing from the water surface. In the upper water layer a well developed daily temperature cycle is present. This cycle is strongly reduced by depth. On average, the daily maximum water temperature excursion from the mean agree with the daily maximum air temperature excursion from the mean. The range between maximum and minimum water temperature correlate well with the daily global irradiation. Received February 14, 1996 Revised May 21, 1997