Field work

The Utrecht University (The Netherlands), in collaboration with the University of Trento (Italy), is currently conducting an extensive 2-year field work in Lake Garda.

Turbulence characteristics will be measured using a vertical microstructure profiler (MicroCTD, manufactured by Rockland Scientific International ). Direct measurements include: temperature, shear, conductivity, and fluorescence (Chl-a), while derived properties are vertical turbulent diffusivity, buoyancy frequency, and the thickness of the well mixed layer. The measurements will be performed for 2 years starting in March 2017, year round, and at least at a monthly frequency. This will allow for a detailed and unique description of the seasonal variability of turbulence, thermal, and Chl-a properties within the upper layer. A few periods of intense field work are also planned. A meteorological station will be installed on the boat during field trip. The physico-chemical measurements will be analyzed together with the meteorological data to identify and evaluate the presence of causal relationships. The measurements will cover mainly the deep and narrow northern part, but also the southern part will be monitored.

In addition, a permanent monitoring site will be deployed in the deepest region of the lake and will be operative for at least 1 year. The station will be equipped with a current meter and 100 high resolution temperature sensors installed along the last 100 m above the lake bottom. The data will be used to study the seasonal variation in deep-lake mixing dynamics driven by internal waves and wind-driven convective turbulence. This station will be the first automated monitoring station at Lake Garda operating over a long time horizon