monomictic Applied to lakes in which only one seasonal period of free circulation occurs. In cold monomictic lakes, typical of polar latitudes, the seasonal overturn occurs briefly in summer; in other seasons, surface-water temperatures are below 4 °C, which induces density stratification. In warm monomictic lakes, typical of warm temperate or subtropical regions, the seasonal overturn occurs in winter; at other times thermal stratification, with the formation of a distinct epilimnion, prevents free circulation through the depth of the lake.

monomictic Applied to lakes in which only one seasonal period of free circulation occurs. In cold monomictic lakes, typical of polar latitudes, the seasonal overturn occurs briefly in summer and the water temperature never rises above 4°C, so inducing density stratification. In warm monomictic lakes, typical of warm temperate or subtropical regions, the seasonal overturn occurs in winter. At other times thermal stratification, with the formation of a distinct epilimnion, prevents free circulation through the depth of the lake.

monomictic Applied to lakes in which only one seasonal period of free circulation occurs. In cold monomictic lakes, typical of polar latitudes, the seasonal overturn occurs briefly in summer and the water temperature never rises above 4°C, so inducing density stratification. In warm monomictic lakes, typical of warm temperate or subtropical regions, the seasonal overturn occurs in winter. At other times thermal stratification, with the formation of a distinct epilimnion, prevents free circulation through the depth of the lake.