Epilimnion is the surface layer of a lake typically characterised as well-mixed and is decoupled from the “metalimnion” due to a rapid change in density. The depth of this layer is used to understand air-water exchanges and the vertical distribution of biological variables. The concept seems easy, and is one of the first notions you get taught when starting your limnology class. And yet, placing the limits of the epilimnion is not that easy. Check this new paper lead by Harriet Wilson! the product of a collaboration with CEH, initiated by a master’s thesis, years ago…
Wilson, H. L., Ayala, A. I., Jones, I. D., Rolston, A., Pierson, D., de Eyto, E., Grossart, H.-P., Perga, M.-E., Woolway, R. I., and Jennings, E.: (in print) Variability in epilimnion depth estimations in lakes, Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-2020-222.