Limnology

Limnology is the study of inland aquatic ecosystems. The name comes from Ancient Greek words for "lake" and "study of." It looks at the life, chemicals, physics, and rocks in all kinds of water places, such as lakes, reservoirs, ponds, rivers, springs, streams, wetlands, and groundwater.

Water systems can be grouped into running water, like rivers, and standing water, like lakes. Scientists who study limnology also look at the land that flows into these water places and how water changes as it moves over the land.

A newer part of limnology, called landscape limnology, looks at how these water systems connect with the land around them. There is also a field called global limnology, which studies how inland waters affect the whole Earth system, including their role in global biogeochemical cycles.

Limnology is closely related to aquatic ecology and hydrobiology, which focus on living things in water and how they interact with their environment. While it often focuses on freshwater, limnology also studies salty lakes found indoors.

History

The word "limnology" was first used by François-Alphonse Forel. He studied Lake Geneva and helped start this science. Soon, other scientists joined to share their work. Over time, this study grew to include all kinds of water bodies, not just lakes. Many important researchers helped shape this science, especially at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

General limnology

Physical properties

Main article: Physical limnology

The way water looks and behaves is shaped by heat, currents, waves, and seasons. The shape of a lake, river, or wetland depends on the land around it. Lakes are grouped by how they form and how deep they are, while rivers and streams change based on the rocks and soil they flow over.

Chemical properties

Chemicals in water come from rain, soil, rocks, and living things. Both nature and people can change what’s in the water. For example, plants and tiny creatures can change the amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide in water.

Biological properties

Lakes are great for scientists to study because they have clear edges and are easy to visit. Scientists use a system to group lakes by how much life they support, from very rich to very poor.

Tropical limnology

Tropical limnology studies freshwater systems in tropical regions. These areas have warmer, more stable temperatures and more nutrients than temperate regions. They also have more complex ecological interactions and usually higher biodiversity. Human activities can have a big impact on these water systems, and cultural and socioeconomic factors also play a role in how they are used and managed.

Professional organizations

People who study limnology are called limnologists. They study freshwater places like lakes, rivers, streams, ponds, and wetlands. They may also study places with salty water that aren’t oceans, like the Great Salt Lake. There are many groups for these scientists, such as the Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography, the Asociación Ibérica de Limnología, the International Society of Limnology, the Polish Limnological Society, the Society of Canadian Aquatic Sciences, the Society for Freshwater Science, and the Freshwater Biological Association.