Interactions of Physical, Chemical and Biological Processes in Depth and Time within a Productive English Lake during Summer Stratification

A survey is given of physical, chemical and biological events in the water‐mass of a productive lake (Esthwaite Water, N. England) during summer stratification. They are interrelated in terms of i) responses to meteorological changes (ii) susceptibility to density stratification (iii) participation in acid‐base and redox systems, with interactions of these (iv) modification due to the generation of particulate material from soluble precursors (v) limiting factors in such bio‐generation (vi) mechanisms of internal nutrient loading, and (vii) control by the characteristics of individual plankters. The significance is demonstrated of differential inputs of meteorological variables, and especially of biological production and degradation, for determining the overall structure and metabolism of the lake.