Water quality and thermal structure monitoring data from a whole-lake aeration experiment in Uruguay

Description

This dataset contains water quality and thermal monitoring data collected from two urban lakes in Canelones Department, Uruguay, as part of a Before-After Control-Impact (BACI) whole-lake experiment evaluating the effectiveness of artificial aeration for eutrophication management. The aerated lake (Lake Javier) was monitored before and after the installation of an aeration system in December 2020, using Lake Jardín as a reference system. Data include water quality parameters (total phosphorus, total nitrogen, chlorophyll-a, dissolved oxygen, Secchi depth, and nutrient fractions) and surface and bottom water temperature time series for both lakes. Sampling covered the period 2016–2024.

Steps to reproduce

Water quality samples were collected at the deepest point of each lake at surface and near-bottom depths. Total phosphorus (TP), total dissolved phosphorus (TDP), soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP), total nitrogen (TN), total dissolved nitrogen (TDN), nitrate (NO₃), and ammonium (NH₄) were analyzed following standard methods. Chlorophyll-a was determined spectrophotometrically from filtered samples. Secchi depth and dissolved oxygen were measured in situ. Water temperature profiles were recorded at high frequency using automated monitoring buoys deployed at the deepest point of each lake, logging surface and near-bottom temperatures. All measurements were conducted in Lake Javier (aerated lake) and Lake Jardín (reference lake) in Canelones Department, Uruguay, between 2016 and 2024.

Institutions

• Universidad de la República de Uruguay

  Montevideo Department, Montevideo

Categories

Funders

• Intendencia de Canelones Uruguay
• Agencia Nacional de Investigación e Innovación

  Montevideo

  Grant ID: POS_NAC_2020_1_163821

Licence