Spatial and temporal variation of Dona Francisca reservoir (Jacuí river, Rio Grande do Sul State), a subtropical reservoir / Variação temporal e espacial do reservatório Dona Francisca (rio Jacuí, Estado do Rio Grande do Sul), um reservatório subtropical

The present study examined the behavior of a reservoir located on subtropical latitude (Dona Francisca reservoir) . The limnological variables measured were dissolved oxygen, temperature, pH and electric conductivity. Measurements were taken quarterly at different sampling sites along the reservoir. The results indicated the formation of longitudinal zones regarding circulation patterns and stratification, beyond the influence from the water masses of the main tributary. The vertical profiles were obtained. The behavior of the reservoir is similar to others previously studied in the country, but with shorter time-lag stratification and a narrower range, possibly due to the shorter residence time of the water, and to the latitude, where summer is shorter.

O estudo buscou analisar o comportamento das variáveis limnológicas, dentre elas oxigênio dissolvido, temperatura, pH e condutividade elétrica, em um reservatório de latitude subtropical (reservatório Dona Francisca). Medidas trimestrais foram feitas em diferentes locais do reservatório, onde foram obtidos os perfis de profundidade. Os resultados indicaram a formação de zonas longitudinais a partir dos padrões de circulação e estratificação, além da influência exercida pelas massas de água do afluente principal. Conclui- se que o comportamento do reservatório se assemelha a outros no país, mas com intervalo de tempo de estratificação menos prolongado e amplitudes menos acentuadas, em parte, possivelmente, pelo pequeno tempo de residência da água e sua posição latitudinal, quando o verão é mais curto.

Spatial and temporal variation of Dona Francisca reservoir (Jacuí river, Rio Grande do Sul State), a subtropical reservoir - doi: 10.4025/actascibiolsci.v34i3.10078

The present study examined the behavior of a reservoir located on subtropical latitude (Dona Francisca reservoir). The limnological variables measured were dissolved oxygen, temperature, pH and electric conductivity. Measurements were taken quarterly at different sampling sites along the reservoir. The results indicated the formation of longitudinal zones regarding circulation patterns and stratification, beyond the influence from the water masses of the main tributary. The vertical profiles were obtained. The behavior of the reservoir is similar to others previously studied in the country, but with shorter time-lag stratification and a narrower range, possibly due to the shorter residence time of the water, and to the latitude, where summer is shorter.