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Lakes can be classified according to different
criteria including location, origin, drainage characteristics, water quality,
and water chemistry
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Lake Water-Quality Classification |
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Scientists have devised different classification
schemes to define the quality of lakes relative to one another. A common
method of classifying lakes is by the trophic state of the lake. The trophic
state refers to the degree of amount of enrichment (eutrophication) of the
lake with nutrients in the water. Lakes can be classified as oligotrophic,
mesotrophic, or eutrophic. |
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Oligotrophic lakes have very low levels
of nutrients, very little organic material along the lake bottom, and high
levels of dissolved oxygen near the bottom. |
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Mesotrophic lakes are moderately
enriched, and the natural processes of accumulation of sediments and growth
of aquatic vegetation are occurring. |
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Eutrophic lakes are highly enriched with
nutrients, have an accumulation of organic sediments, and low levels of
dissolved oxygen in water near the lake bottom. Eutrophic lakes typically
have high concentrations of algae or aquatic vegetation and also differ from
oligotrophic and mesotrophic lakes in the type of vegetation and animal life
that can exist in the lake. |
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Source: Hydrology of
Central Florida Lakes -- A Primer |
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