Diurnal temperature gradients in shallow water produced by populations of artificial aquatic macrophytes

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Three artificial populations, with leaf area indices (L) of 4.4, 1.5, and 0.54 were submerged in identical tubs of 1-m3 capacity. Experiments showed that the maximum vertical temperature gradient of the water varied and was dependent on the ratio of solar radiation to wind speed, the leaf area index, and the arrangement of the leaves in the population. The time of day of the maximum temperature gradient was also dependent on L and leaf arrangement. The interception of the light energy by the leaf surface heated the water locally, while the shadow beneath caused the temperature to remain low. With fewer plants, water evaporation was slightly greater. Evaporation resulted in a marl deposit which was confined to the upper surface of the leaves.