Gas Transfer Velocities on Lakes Measured with Sulfur Hexafluoride

by Rik Wanninkhof, Lamont-Doherty Geological, Observatory, Palisades, United States,
Jim Ledwell, Lamont-Doherty Geological, Observatory, Palisades, United States,
John Crusius, Lamont-Doherty Geological, Observatory, Palisades, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Water Quality Issues at Fossil Fuel Plants

Abstract:

Gas transfer velocities have been determined on five lakes ranging in size from 0.13 km² to 450 km² using sulfur hexafluoride, SF₆ as a deliberate tracer gas. Every experiment showed a strong correlation between gas exchange and wind speed. We hypothesize that differences in the relationships for each lake are caused by differences in fetch and surface contamination. A power law relationship between gas transfer and wind speed is presented for approximating gas transfer on lakes with average wind speeds less than 8 m/s.

Subject Headings: Lakes | Wind speed | Water quality | Wind power | Water resources | Sulfur | Hydro power

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