Understanding thermal stratification and circulation dynamics in Fuxian Lake: Insights from EFDC simulation study

Yingying Liu, Hongming He*, Jie Zhou, Hongxiang Fan, Qinglong Wu, Claudio O. Delang

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articlepeer-review

    Abstract

    This study aims to provide a comprehensive numerical solution and quantitative analysis of the thermal stratification and circulation in Fuxian Lake, the largest freshwater deep lake in China, utilizing a high-fidelity Environmental Fluid Dynamics Code (EFDC) to build a three-dimensional hydrodynamic model. Simulation results reveal that meteorological conditions and hydrodynamic processes notably influence the spatiotemporal characteristics of the thermocline, with wind and temperature disparities primarily impacting water flow. Maximum water temperature (24.3 °C) and thermocline intensity (0.31 °C/m) typically occur in September. Vertical circulation, driven by wind-induced horizontal divergence and convergence of lake currents, often induces uneven vertical movements, leading to thermocline irregularities. This study also assesses the sensitivity of Fuxian Lake to temperature changes, showcasing the efficacy of EFDC model in accurately reproducing observed spatiotemporal variations. This research not only establishes a foundation for integrating the EFDC model with water quality models but also presents an effective approach for studying hydrodynamics and thermal stratification processes in other deep-water lakes, thereby facilitating lake management and ecological restoration endeavors.
    Original languageEnglish
    Article number112202
    Number of pages14
    JournalEcological Indicators
    Volume165
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Aug 2024

    Scopus Subject Areas

    • General Decision Sciences
    • Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
    • Ecology

    User-Defined Keywords

    • Hydrodynamic
    • Thermal stratification and thermocline
    • EFDC
    • Fuxian Lake

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Understanding thermal stratification and circulation dynamics in Fuxian Lake: Insights from EFDC simulation study'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this