Field Measurement and Analysis on Heat Balance and Water Temperature Formation in a High-Altitude Reservoir in the Bolivian Andes

Abstract

Water temperature in water bodies, such as rivers, lakes, and reservoirs, is one of the most fundamental aquatic environmental factors that affect water quality and ecosystem. Lakes located in high altitude area are considered to be sensitive to global warming. In this study, we carried out detailed field measurements on water temperature and meteorological condition in the Tuni Reservoir in Bolivia Cordillera. Heat balance in this area is different from that in low altitude areas like Japan because the low atmospheric pressure decreases sensible heat transfer between the water body and atmosphere. By the analysis of the detailed field data, water temperature changes in the reservoir were successfully reproduced. The river water temperature in the Tuni reservoir catchment was also analyzed, and the transition of river water temperature along the river channel was discussed.

Macrophyte Model for a Tropical Glacier River in the Bolivian Andes

“…Water temperature varied from 2.1°C to 12.2°C in the dry season and from 2.3°C to 20.2°C during the wet season, due to the changes in the meteorological conditions in the basin 7) . Based on our observations and data from a previous study 5) , empirical relations were obtained for the estimation of water temperature and its variations with the distance from the edges of the glaciers. The relations are shown in Fig.4.…”