density of water at different temperatures

In addition to its effects on aquatic organisms, high water temperatures can increase the solubility and thus toxicity of certain compounds 1. Above and below this temperature, photosynthesis will be reduced.Ĭompound Toxicity and Water Temperature Water temperature can play a role in the shift between ammonium and ammonia in water. In general, algal photosynthesis will increase with temperature, though different species will have different peak temperatures for optimum photosynthetic activity 14. Temperature can also inhibit plant respiration and photosynthesis 14. While dormancy is appropriate for surviving a cold winter, warmer temperatures are required for most plants to flourish. Tropical plants in particular will show restricted growth and dormancy in water temperatures below 21☌ 17. While some aquatic plants tolerate cooler waters, most prefer warmer temperatures 17. Plants are also affected by water temperature. Temperature affects the photosynthetic rates of different algae. Some species of sharks and stingrays will even seek out warmer waters when pregnant 16. Temperature fluctuations can also affect the behavior choices of aquatic organisms, such as moving to warmer or cooler water after feeding, predator-prey responses and resting or migrating routines 16. Furthermore, temperatures above 35☌ can begin to denature, or breakdown, enzymes, reducing metabolic function 18. Increased respiration rates at higher temperatures lead to increased oxygen consumption, which can be detrimental if rates remain raised for an extended period of time. Increased metabolic function can be noticed in respiration rates and digestive responses in most species. This increase in metabolic rate can be handled by some species better than others. For most fish, a 10☌ increase in water temperature will approximately double the rate of physiological function 16.

This occurs as many cellular enzymes are more active at higher temperatures 18. Studies have shown a direct relationship between metabolic rates and water temperature. Some organisms, particularly aquatic plants flourish in warmer temperatures, while some fishes such as trout or salmon prefer colder streams 8. As such, it influences the chosen habitats of a variety of aquatic life 8. Water Temperature and Aquatic Life The metabolic rates of aquatic organisms increase as the water temperature increases.Ĭonsidered alone, water temperature can affect the metabolic rates and biological activity of aquatic organisms 14. – Dissolved oxygen and other dissolved gas concentrations – Metabolic rates and photosynthesis production In this regard, water temperature should be accounted for when determining 7: In addition to its own effects, temperature influences several other parameters and can alter the physical and chemical properties of water. Temperature is an important factor to consider when assessing water quality. Why the Temperature of Water is Important Water temperature affects nearly every other water quality parameter. What does that mean for lakes, rivers and oceans? Water temperature has been defined as the “abiotic master factor” by JR Brett due to its effect on aquatic organisms 15. Heat flow and the fluctuation of temperature determine what species will live and thrive in a body of water. Water temperature plays a major role in the quality of aquatic life and habitats. Heat transfer, whether from the air, sunlight, another water source or thermal pollution can change the temperature of water. This energy can be transferred between substances as the flow of heat. Thermal energy is the kinetic energy of atoms and molecules, so temperature in turn measures the average kinetic energy of the atoms and molecules 5. As hot and cold are both arbitrary terms, temperature can further be defined as a measurement of the average thermal energy of a substance 5. Water temperature is a physical property expressing how hot or cold water is.

Density of water at different temperatures