Characteristics of the Annual Maximum and Minimum Water Temperatures in Tonle Sap Lake, Cambodia from 2000 to 2019

Abstract

The Tonle Sap Lake contains unique hydrological environments and ecosystems. Although water temperature is an important consideration in lake management, information on the water temperature of the lake is limited. Thus, we investigated the characteristics of the daytime water temperatures of the Tonle Sap Lake from 2000 to 2019 using MOD11A1, a Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometers (MODIS) product. Moreover, the relationship between water temperature fluctuations and hydrological–meteorological conditions was analyzed. The maximum and minimum daytime water temperatures were recorded in May (30.7 °C) and January (24.6 °C), respectively, each a month after the maximum and minimum air temperatures were recorded. The annual maximum, average, and minimum water levels showed a downward trend (−0.14, −0.08, and −0.01 m/y, respectively). The annual maximum water temperature increased at a rate of 0.17 °C/decade, whereas the annual minimum water temperature decreased at a rate of 0.91 °C/decade. The annual maximum daytime water temperature had a strong negative correlation with water level change (flood pulse) and a weaker correlation with air temperature. The annual minimum daytime water temperature presented the strongest positive correlation with water level change (flood pulse) in the previous year. However, there was no correlation between the annual minimum daytime water temperature and air temperature. These results indicate that water temperature in the Tonle Sap Lake is mainly affected by water level fluctuations, which are mainly driven by flood pulses.