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In situ pCO 2 and O 2 measurements in a lake during turnover and stratification: Observations and modeling
Author(s) -
Baehr Matthew M.,
DeGrandpre Michael D.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
limnology and oceanography
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.7
H-Index - 197
eISSN - 1939-5590
pISSN - 0024-3590
DOI - 10.4319/lo.2004.49.2.0330
Subject(s) - stratification (seeds) , diel vertical migration , environmental science , biogeochemical cycle , atmospheric sciences , water column , phytoplankton , surface water , convective mixing , bottom water , convection , oceanography , chemistry , geology , nutrient , environmental chemistry , meteorology , seed dormancy , botany , germination , organic chemistry , physics , dormancy , environmental engineering , biology
Sensors for the partial pressure of CO 2 ( p CO 2 ) and dissolved O 2 (DO) were deployed near the surface and bottom of a freshwater lake (Placid Lake, Montana) during the period from ice cover to seasonal stratification. Sources of variability were examined using one‐dimensional physical and biogeochemical models. Model predictions for p CO 2 and DO were compared to further constrain model parameters. A number of transient processes were documented that have not been well characterized in previous studies. The models made it possible to link these short‐term events to specific forcings. We found that (1) 11 d of the 13‐d turnover period occurred under ice through lightdriven convective mixing, (2) phytoplankton biomass increased to its highest seasonal level under ice, (3) weak stratification set up immediately after ice‐out, causing bottom water p CO 2 and DO to diverge from surface levels, (4) subsequent diel convective mixing brought bottom p CO 2 and DO back toward surface levels, and (5) before stable stratification, vertical entrainment of CO2‐rich water, net production, and air‐water exchange drove 100‐200 µatm daily changes in p CO 2 , but, because of their counterbalancing effects, surface p CO 2 remained >1,000 µatm for nearly 1 month after ice‐out. Upon stable stratification, net production and air‐water exchange overcame p CO 2 gains from mixing and heating and reduced p CO 2 to near atmospheric levels within 20 d. Net production and gas exchange accounted for ~75% and 25%, respectively, of the decrease in surface p CO 2 observed after ice‐out. Diel convection was the dominant mixing process both under ice and after ice‐out and may be an important underrepresented mechanism for CO2 and DO exchange between surface and bottom water.