Definitions:

TSI: Trophic State Index is a measurement of overall lake productivity (nutrient enrichment). The overall TSI of a lake is the average of the TSI for phosphorus, chlorophyll-a and secchi depth.

Oligotrophic: A lake that has very clear water and very low productivity (phosphorus and chlorophyll-a). Oligotrophic lakes have a Trophic State Index under 30, the hypolimnion contains oxygen throughout the year and can support trout.

Mesotrophic: A lake that has moderate water clarity and productivity (phosphorus and chlorophyll-a). Mesotrophic lakes have a Trophic State Index between 30 and 50, and the hypolimnion can become anoxic during the summer.

Eutrophic: A lake that has low water clarity and high productivity (phosphorus and chlorophyll-1). Eutrophic lakes have a Trophic State Index between 50 and 70, an anoxic hypolimnion in the summer, algal and aquatic plants are prevalent, and can only support warm water fish.

Thermocline: The area between the warm top layer of a lake and the cold bottom part of the lake. The thermocline is characterized by a sharp drop in temperature.

Stratification: The process in which most Minnesota lakes separate into three layers during the summer. The upper layer (epilimnion) becomes warm and is penetrated by sunlight, the lower layer (hypolimnion) is cold and dark and the middle area (thermocline) separates the top and bottom layers. Warm water is less dense than cold water, which is why the upper layer floats on top of the bottom layer and does not mix in the summer. Minnesota lakes mix in the spring and the fall, when the top layer of the lake cools off.

Secchi Depth: a measure of water clarity that can indicate the overall health of a lake. A black and white metal disc is lowered into the water on a rope until it can’t be seen anymore and raised to the point it can be seen. The depth of the disk to the surface of the water is the Secchi Depth.

Spring turnover: when the ice melts off the lake in the spring and cold water on the top of the lake sinks. This mixing distributes all the nutrients evenly through the water column.

Fall turnover: when the summer stratification layers of a lake mix due to the cooling epilimnion (upper layer of the lake). This mixing distributes all the nutrients evenly through the water column.

Chlorophyll-a: the pigment that makes plants and algae green. Chlorophyll-a is measured in lakes to determine algal concentration.

Dissolved oxygen: oxygen that is dissolved in the water column. Aquatic organisms (zooplankton, aquatic invertebrates and fish) need this oxygen to survive.

Information for RMB Labs (http://rmbel.info/water-quality-parameter-relationships/glossary/)