Does temperature affect water clarity?

[Mmathis]

Now that the weather is cooling off, the water is getting clearer. My mechanical filtration (Skippy) isn't the best, so most of the murkiness has been due to particulate matter.

So, does the water temp play a part in water clarity?

Gotta say it was nice to sit out by the pond this morning and finally be able to see the submerged plants on the bottom (and leaves, and acorns.....not!).

 

[dieselplower]

I have noticed the same thing. I think it was floating algae in my pond.

 

[HARO]

Same here. My water was a bit murky until it hit around 45-46 F, now it's cleared right up. Probably due to less single-cell algae.
John

 

[Tula]

I notice the same thing, very clear, cold water.

 

[Nepen]

I think mine is too but with the leaves fall into the pond my water turn a nice shade of brown, so I dont see the bottom as clear as summer.

 

[callingcolleen1]

My water is crystal clear all year round, and it is located under trees and lots of stuff falls in. I do not have a UV light and have never needed one. I increase the flow of water in the spring to stir up the silt and get rid of lots of waste, and I net the pond bottom lots in the spring. I think the reason my pond is clear all year is due to the fact that I run big underwater filters all year round and I have a very very large sedge that sucks up lots of pond waste and under that large yellow flag sedge, that floats, the roots touch the bottom of the pond and really lick it clean! The sedge is 24 years old and needs to be divided again cause it is trying to take over more that half of the middle pond. It is not planted in any soil or anything, it is just a massive root ball that naturally floats!

 

[callingcolleen1]

Cold water slows the movement of the fish down and they eat less. Big koi can stir up the bottom of the pond and make the pond murky looking so it is good to keep the floor of the pond clean.

 

[morewater]

If the cubes in your Gin & Tonic, appear cloudy, I would recommend adding more gin to counteract any contaminants.

 

[Meyer Jordan]

Plankton populations are greatly reduced as water temperature drops resulting in minimal turbidity.

 

[Mmathis]

Does it have anything to do with the weight of the water.......?

 

[Meyer Jordan]

Does it have anything to do with the weight of the water.......?

Weight of water has no effect on turbidity.
Although water is at its maximum density at 4C, this is only slightly denser than at 10C or 20C. Water weighs 8.34 lbs/gallon.

 

[Mmathis]

Weight of water has no effect on turbidity.
Although water is at its maximum density at 4C, this is only slightly denser than at 10C or 20C. Water weighs 8.34 lbs/gallon.

OK, if you say so. The only thing I recall about water [well, for some reason I remember that 1cc of water weighs 1gm at 1degree C, or something like that, that I'll never use.....] -- anyway, is that the water molecules move more slowly at colder temperatures than at higher temperatures. I guess that's where I was going with the thought.....

 

[Meyer Jordan]

OK, if you say so. The only thing I recall about water [well, for some reason I remember that 1cc of water weighs 1gm at 1degree C, or something like that, that I'll never use.....] -- anyway, is that the water molecules move more slowly at colder temperatures than at higher temperatures. I guess that's where I was going with the thought.....

That is correct. Density is actually a measurement of molecule movement.

 

[Dave 54]

OK, if you say so. The only thing I recall about water [well, for some reason I remember that 1cc of water weighs 1gm at 1degree C, or something like that, that I'll never use.....] -- anyway, is that the water molecules move more slowly at colder temperatures than at higher temperatures. I guess that's where I was going with the thought.....

That is correct. Density is actually a measurement of molecule movement.

I think this may help you understand why the water apprears clearer at lower temperatures it seems that Diatoms Algae and bluegreen algae all have optimum conditions at which they like to reproduce.
Diatoms appear to grow best at 15-25° C., green algae at 25-35° C., and blue-green algae at 30-40°so as the temperature starts dropping then less algae produced,.
This also I believe ties in with Meyers answer about water density though I may be wrong :-

http://www.watercenter.org/physical...temperature-effects-on-fish-and-aquatic-life/

It makes for interesting reading Maggie and should help answer your question.

Dave

 

[Mmathis]

I think this may help you understand why the water apprears clearer at lower temperatures it seems that Diatoms Algae and bluegreen algae all have optimum conditions at which they like to reproduce.
Diatoms appear to grow best at 15-25° C., green algae at 25-35° C., and blue-green algae at 30-40°so as the temperature starts dropping then less algae produced,.
This also I believe ties in with Meyers answer about water density though I may be wrong :-

http://www.watercenter.org/physical...temperature-effects-on-fish-and-aquatic-life/

It makes for interesting reading Maggie and should help answer your question.

Dave

Well, I got 2 things out of the article [thanks, Dave]; warm temps increase the soluability of gasses [and other chemical components] in the water, and warm water also increases the rate of decomposition. As far as clarity goes, I can see how both would have an affect, but mostly the latter. If decomposition is reduced, then so would the amt. of suspended particles be reduced.

I recall our first couple of SCUBA experiences. Here, for proximity we are limited to local freshwater lakes, and our "check dives" were done in Arkansas, in July -- prime algae bloom season. For about the 1st 30' or so, viz was limited to about 1'-2' -- pretty bad. But once you got below that 1st thermocline, not only could you FEEL the temp difference, but the water was much clearer. You saw as well as felt the difference.