Deutsch: See / Español: Lago / Português: Lago / Français: Lac / Italiano: Lago

A lake is a standing body of water greater than 1 hectare (about 2.5 acre) that has at least 1000 m² (about 0.25 acre) of open water and is at least 1 meter (about 3 feet) deep at its deepest point.
A lake is a body of fresh or salt water of considerable size, whose open-water and deep-bottom zones (no light penetration to bottom) are large compared to the shallow-water (shoreline) zone, which has light penetration to its bottom.

Description

A lake is a large body of water that is surrounded by land on all sides. Lakes can vary in size and shape, from small ponds to vast bodies of water. They are often formed by glaciers, rivers, or tectonic activity, and can be freshwater or saltwater. Lakes play a crucial role in the environment, serving as habitats for a variety of plant and animal species. They also provide important resources for human populations, such as drinking water, irrigation for agriculture, and recreational opportunities. Lakes are vulnerable to pollution from human activities, which can have detrimental effects on water quality and the health of ecosystems within the lake.

Treatment and Risks

• Water treatment facilities can help improve water quality in lakes by removing pollutants and contaminants.
• Risks to lakes include pollution from agricultural runoff, industrial waste, and sewage, which can lead to eutrophication and harmful algal blooms.
• Climate change can also pose risks to lakes, including changes in water temperature, precipitation patterns, and increased frequency of extreme weather events.
• Managing land use around lakes and implementing regulations to prevent pollution are essential for protecting these important ecosystems.

Examples

• Lake Baikal in Russia is the deepest and oldest freshwater lake in the world.
• The Great Salt Lake in Utah is a hypersaline lake known for its unique ecosystem and high salt content.
• Lake Victoria in Africa is one of the largest lakes in the world and provides vital resources for surrounding communities.

Similar Concepts and Synonyms

• Reservoir
• Pond
• Waterbody
• Inland Sea

Articles with 'Lake' in the title

• Flowage lakes: Flowage lakes: flowage lakes are areas of a river system which are sufficiently deep, slow moving and wide to have lacustrine characteristics. Unlike reservoirs, they typically have wide inflow and outflow regions
• Great Lakes: Great Lakes are In EMAP, the resource that encompasses the five Great Lakes-Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario, including river mouths up to the maximum extent of lake influence- wetlands contiguous to the lakes- and the . . .
• Marl lakes: Marl lakes: marl lakes are lakes in which solid calcium carbonate precipitates during periods of high Photosynthesis forming a Characteristic marl bench in the euphotic zone
• Dystrophic Lakes: Dystrophic Lakes are acidic, shallow bodies of water that contain much humus and/or other organic matter- contain many plants but few fish.
• Alkali lakes: Alkali lakes: alkali lakes are also referred to as "soda lakes-" characterized by high pH (_=pH 10) and a high Concentration of salts.

Weblinks

• maritime-glossary.com: 'Lake' in the maritime-glossary.com

Summary

A lake is a large body of water surrounded by land, serving as a vital habitat for numerous species and a valuable resource for human populations. However, lakes face risks from pollution, climate change, and land use practices that can threaten their health and sustainability.

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