Holomictic lakes are lakes that have a uniform temperature and density from surface to bottom at a specific time during the year, which allows the lake waters to mix in the absence of stratification.

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Holomictic lakes mix at least occasionally, in contrast to meromictic lakes.[1] Most lakes on Earth are holomictic; meromictic lakes are rare, although they may be less rare than commonly thought.[2] Amictic lakes are sealed off by ice and never mix.

There are five types of holomictic lakes:[3]

  • Polymictic (mixing many times annually)
  • Cold Monomictic (mixing once annually; exhibiting negative stratification)
  • Warm Monomictic (mixing once annually; exhibiting positive stratification)
  • Dimictic (mixing twice annually)
  • Oligomictic (mixing less than once annually)
 
Holomictic type Prashar Lake

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Lewis, William M. Jr. (1983). "A revised classification of lakes based on mixing" (PDF). Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. 40 (10): 1779–1787. doi:10.1139/f83-207. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-03-06.
  2. ^ Hakala, A (2004). "Meromixis as a part of lake evolution; observations and a revised classification of true meromictic lakes in Finland". Boreal Environment Research. 9 (1): 37.
  3. ^ Kevern, Niles R.; King, Darrell L.; Ring, Robert (1996). "Lake Classification Systems - Part 1". The Michigan Riparian.
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