Thermal structure of Lake Guamués, a tropical lake high mountain

Abstract

This article discloses the results of research conducted on Lake Guamués, the purpose was to establish the thermal structure timescale. For this, sampling was conducted in 10 locations of the lake covering all of its different environments during the months of January through September 2013. To achieve the stated objective, in situ measurements of the parameters such as water temperature, dissolved oxygen and depth were taken using a parametric probe of water quality YSI 6600 V2. Profiles of temperature and dissolved oxygen in the water column were built and the behavior of the thermal structure of the lake Guamués was analyzed. Among the main results, we found that the lake has periods of complete mixing in July and September and is stratified in May, a situation that is directly related to the seasonality that is, in the rainy season favors complete mixture and in the summertime lake thermal stratification occurs, allowing classify it as a monomictic warm lake. Finally, the importance of this study is highlighted because the study area has special and particular characteristics that have allowed categorizing it as a RAMSAR ecosystem, thanks to the ecosystemical potential manifested in its biodiversity, goods and environmental services provided to the population, however, existing studies about the dynamics of thermal structure are nonexistent in the region and few in the systems of Colombia, mainly in high mountain lakes because the majority of studies have been developed in warm lakes and tropical reservoirs. © Universidad de Caldas.