On the water thermal response to the passage of cold fronts: initial results for Itumbiara reservoir (Brazil)

Abstract

Abstract. The passage of meteorological systems such as cold fronts or convergence zones over reservoirs can cause significant modifications in several aquatic variables. Cold fronts coming from higher latitudes and reaching the Southeastern Brazilian territory modify the mean wind field and have important impact over physical, chemical and biological processes that act in the hydroelectric reservoirs. The mean period of cold front passages along the Southeastern Brazilian coast is 6 days during the winter and between 11 and 14 days in the summer. Most of these fronts also affect the hinterland of São Paulo, Minas Gerais and Goiás states. The objective of this work is to analyze the influence of cold front passages in the thermal stratification and water quality of the Itumbiara hydroelectric reservoir which is located in Minas Gerais and Goiás. The characterization of cold front passages over the study area was done through the analysis of GOES satellite images. The analyzed data set includes time series of meteorological (wind direction and intensity, short-wave radiation, air temperature, relative humidity, atmospheric pressure) and water temperature in four depths (5, 12, 20 and 40 m). The data set was acquired in the interior of the reservoir by an autonomous anchored buoy system at a sampling rate of 1 h. The stratification was assessed by non-dimensional parameter analysis. The lake number an indicator of the degree of stability and mixing in the reservoir was used in this analysis. We will show that during the cold front all atmospheric parameters respond and this response are transferred immediately to the water surface. The main effect is observed in the water column, when the heat loss in the surface allows the upwelling events caused by convective cooling due to the erosion of thermal stratification.