Sclcy 2F3 3gq Water Quality Investigations Guat enala LAKE ATTTLAN 1968-1970 t at or Charles M. Weiss /7/¥" Professor of Environmental Biology Department. of Environmental Sciences and Pngineering School of Public Health University of North Carolina at Chapel Hil A cooperative study involving the Regional gchool of Sanitery Engineering of the University of San Carlos, the Instituto Geografico Nacional and the University of North Carclins.. ‘The participation of the University of North Carolina was through a contract with the Regional Office for Central America ang Panama of the Agency for International Development to provide technical assistance to the Regional School of Sanitary Eugineering. Yay 1971 ‘ESE Pub. Wo. 274 i rlPreface This establish optimm quality for many levels of ubilize- he quantity of water is less than re- tions must be placed on use of a water resource because s to be published under the general tit stemala." Ti ill define the Limno- a the probable n its quality under proposed econd piblication of t series will deseribe the linnolegical chai that may ensue ake. The olume currently scheduled will be a repert of preliminary studies of water veral Quatem: ated in a re onal School of Si sto Wide tech: e Institute Geografico Nacional in its proposed udies on Lake Atitlén as & hydro-pi would invo! effects on its wa the current ser: of reports will be a information on ater quality for x nations ofPreface TABLE OF coNTENTS List of Tables List of Figures Introduction Summary and Conclusions Recommends tions Chapter 1. e to. References Appendix A Appendix 8 Appendix ¢ Appendix D Historical Perspective Flan of Investigation Tomperature Charscteristics Optical Propert: Biological Characteristics Zooplankton of Lake Avitlan 5 of Primary Productivity 1d ang Amatitlan Chemical Characteristics Outflow from Lake Abitlin Water quality Characteristics of Rivers neduled for Di ersion into Lake Abitlia Bek = Regional snd Local Maps ~ Lake Atit2an Morphological Data Rainfall Records, 1968-1; ~ Water Quality Characteristics ~ Rivers 143LIST OF TABLES Gross seasonel and local changes in plankton characteristi ake Atitlin. duly, 1968, Nov., 2 Seasonal and local changes in selected plankton of Lake Atitlé Closteriops Dinobryon, a; Vertical distribution of al1 zooplankton and Dinobryon sp. November, 1968 ip of carbon-14 bicarbonate, Lake Atitlan, Suly, 1968 7-2 Productivity, Lal Productivity, Ligh anatitién roductivity 4 comparison of pro’ Total solids, Leke Atitlén, July, 1968, Jan. and July, 1969 » July, 1968, Jan. and July, 1969 Chloride, Lake Atitlén, July, 1968, Jan. and July, 1969 d July, 1969 Hardness, Lake Atitiin, July, 1968, Jan. Total nitrogen, Lake Atitlén, July, 1968, Jan. ana July, 1969 70 unPage nical characteristics of rivers flowing off the Pacific slope drainage of Lake atitlén 13h-135 Chemical characteristics of selected Leake Atitlan stations sampled on May 21, 1970 as related to chemical characteristics of rivers and streams that flow off the Pacific slope drainage of Lake Atitlén er quality characteristics. Average values for rivers in Atitlén hydroelectric project Water quality characteristics. Average values for rivers in Atitlén hydroelectric projectLIST OF FIGURES pling boat and sampling equipment Avitlén; Bathymetric map, 50 ft. contour ng station locations on Iake Atitlan panfa de Santiago, village of Santiago Atitlén, Volcan Tolinan, Volean Atitlén Worth end of Lake Atitlén, Delta of Rio Quiscab and Rio Panajachel Valley of Rio Panajachel, Volean San Pedro across Lake Atitlan View along northwest shore from Panajachel temperature Lake At: 1, 3, 2, A, tenpereture profiles, Lake 4, 9, 5, 10, 6 1 temperature profiles, Lake 6, 7, 8 temperature profiles, Lake Atitlén. BE AtAtlin stabi ations and synoptic re transects c temperature transects, Lake Atitlén, section Ard! c temperature transects, Lake Atitldn. Section B-B! temperature transects, Lake Atitlén, Section C-C’ temperature transects, Lake Atitlén, Section D-D’ cemperature transects, Lake Ati Section B-B'3-11 Seasonal Isotherns, 3-12 Seasonal Isotherms, 3-13 Seasonal Isotherns, 3-14 Seasonal Isotherns, 3-15 Seasonal Isotherms, 3-16 Seasonal Isotherms, 3-17 Seasonal Isotherms, Lake Atitlin. Stations P, 1, 3B Leke Atitlén. Stations 2, A, 3 Lake Atitlin. stations h, 9, 5 Lake Atitlén, stations 8, ¢, 12 Lake Atitlén. stations 7, C, 10 Lake Atitién. Stations 6, D, 11 Lake Atitlén. Stations E, 1h 3-18 Vertical temperature profiles, Lake Atitlén, Jamuary 25-26, 1968 ‘el Seasonal changes in Secchi disk depths, Lake Atitlan 42 Secchi disk 43 Secchi disk Lik Secchi atek a5 Secchi disk 4-6 Secchi disk Secchi disk 4.8 Secchi disk 4e3 Secchi disk Secchi disk 4e11 Secchi disk Secchi disk Secchi disk Secchi disk Photographs aeptha. depths. depths. depths. depthe. depths. depths. depths. depths. depths. depths. depths. depths. of Mark Circuit diagram for Tuly 2-9, 1968 Nov. 11-14, 1968 Dee. 27-38, 1968 Jan. 27-30, 1969 Feb, 2h-26, 1969 March 25-26, 1969 April 25-26, 1969 May 27-28, 1969 June 2h-25, 1969 Tuly 7-8, 1969 Aug. 28-29, 1969 Sept. 25-26, 1969 Oct. 28-29, 1969 I and Mazk II underwater photoneters Mark I underwater photometer Transmission of coler filters in underwater photometer 43 45 46 4g 4g 50 Sl 52 53 5h 55 56 7 60Circuit diegram for Mark II urderwater photometer Light penetration-log relative intensity, Lake Atitlin, Stations 1, 8 and 7, July, 1968 Light penetration-log relative intensity. Lake Atitlén, Station 9, July, Nov, 1968, Jen., 1969 Photomicrographs, net plankton samples from vertical tows plankton tows, Lake Atitlén, July, 1968, ‘led volunes Vertical plankton tows, lake Atitlém, MNov., 1968 Settled volumes Vertical plankton tows, Lake 4tit Jen., 1969 Settled volumes plankton towa, Lake ti Tuly, 1968 and Glosteriopais plankton tows, Lak: Nov., 1968 and Closteriopsis 1 plankton tovs, Lake Atitidn, Jan. 1969 and Glosteriopsts ikton tows, Lake abitléh. July, 1968 3 and Dinobryon ‘ical plankton tows, Lake atitifin, Nov., 1968 Zooplankters and Dinobryon ‘ical plankton tows, Lake Atitlén. Jan., 1969 joplankters and Dinobryon Vertical distribution of Melosira. Nov. 12-1h, 1968 Vertical distribution of Glosteriopsis. Nov. 12-1h, 1968 cal distribution of Dinobryon, Nov. 12-1h, 1968 cal distribution of zooplankters. Nov. 12-1h, 1968 omicrographss Keratella cochlearis, Polyartha sp., nis calyciflorus, Platyias patulus and Asplancha nicrographs; cyclopoid copepods and Ceratium apPhotomicrographs; Daphnia, "longispina" and "pulex" types 98 Photomicrographs; Bosmina sp., Ceriodaphnia puchella and Diaphanosoma brachyurum 100 Relationship of carbon productivity deteminations to depth, Lake Atitlén 109Introduction ‘Tt has become almost inevitable through the growth and development of & country such as Guatemala that all of its available resources, including water, ve used in such a manner as to benefit the nation as a whole. With locally wallable fossil fuels being essentially nonexistent throughout Central America, the energy requirements of increasing populations and industrial growth place unusual burdens on economic resources if foreign exchange must be used for importing fuels. With limited numbers of sites available for hydro-power evelopment, several feasibility studies were initiated by the Instituto Nacional de Electrificacion (INDE) to establish the potential for power generation izing Lake Atitlén as a hydro-power pool with replacement water being iverted from nearby rivers. It was enticipated that the power to be generated from this proposal would provide approximately ten to twelve percent of the projected power demands of Guatemala as of 1972, The location of the leke respect to its altitude as well as proximity to the Pacific slope drainage provides an unusually large head for power generation, It would serve as a ural reservoir with discharge water being replenished from several of the boring rivers by means of tunnels. Details of this proposal with respect to quality of diverted rivers is discussed in Chapter 10. As the several feasibility studies proposing the use of Leake Atitlén as nydroepower pool moved into detailed development stages, it became apparent ‘oration was badly needed to esteblish what would be the impact of the diversions into the lake and the probable changes in its existing water ty. The responsibility for establishing existing conditions as well es st predictions as to what might be expected if the Lake Atitlén hydro-studies and investigations and mapping thet would be equivalent to the U. 3, Geological Service in the United States. As with the U,S.¢.8., it has a division concerned with determinations of both flow and quality of water. Throuch the action of the Consejo Superior Universitario Centroamericano (csucA) and the Regional Office for Central America and Panama (ROCAP), Agency x International Development (AID), the Escuela Regionsl Ingenieria Sanitaria (ERIS) was established in 1966 with supporting service provided by contract the University of Worth Carolina, Department of Environmental Sciences ynool of Public Health. In October, 1967, through the efforts f many individuals from the above noted organizations and ERIS a symposium on pollution (Simposio Sobre Contaminacion de Corrientes) was held in city. For the ommation on existing levels of water on in Central America from tt countries south of Mexico was assembled resented. Position papers on several aspects of water pollution were nted by various experts, and the author of report prepared a pe Aguas Superficiales de Centroamerice, La Polucion Y Sus Efectos en 1 Agua" (Weiss, 1967). Ab this meeting Ing. o holds a faculty appointment in URIS and who had proposed Lake Atitlfn water quality studies asked @ progran of study which might provide th uture development of the wat: source of Lake Atitlén. reconnaissance trip to take Atitifn was made in January, 1968, hich detailed proposals were drawn up for continuing stu the year, In July of 1968 two weeks were spent on Lake Atitlénn detailed studies with monthly samples taken thereafter through July, 1969, lete an annual cycle, Additional ed sampli 8 i In an investigation of this magnitude, extending over a perlod of many ths, its success depends upon whole: ny individuals some instances, alti al. contribu very small, it can be very critical for succes rticular day event. Although a program of this dimension might have the best of pls the actual development of the plan (par 4 out carefully end with attention to detail, the information 4 be of little value. ‘The following List of acknowledgononts notes first organizations, then the individuals in th pective orgenization, In paration or evaluation of spec: d by specific individuals and @ substantial contribution to a t chapter. course of in the lake and its Suture, particularly with reference to biology, were 1 she Reservoir Research Center of Oklahoma ersity, Troy C. . Also 4 1970 the on of Tropical sted in sponsored a course in tro1 ology under the direction of : David G. Frey, Indiana Univers Professor Frey and his field party n Guatemala and part of the time on Lake Atitlénin February of 1970, Available maps and other data, as well as field equip- ment, were provided to the OTS program by ERIS and IGN. Exchange of deta and meps was also made with the program of study at Oklehoma State University, Reports from their investigetions will be forthcoming and should add immeasurably to the information that will eventually be available on Lake Atitlén. Organizations AID - Agency for International Developuent ROCAP - Regional Office for Sentral America and Panama, Agency for International Development IGN - Instituto Geografico Nacional INDE - Instituto Nacional de Electrificacion ERIS - Escuela Regional Ingenieria Senitarie RH - Recursos Hidrolicos DGOP - Direccion General de Obras Publicas Municipalidad de Guatemala CSUCA - Consejo Superior Universitario Centrosmericano UNC - University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Individuals with organizations specifically involved in field or laboratory work or in the processing of data Icw Ing. Iuis Garcia Ing. Axul Courado Pellecer Ricardo Junger Eder Giron Soto Bagar Rivera Osman R. Franco Hector Sanchez George Sora Tux Jose Iuis BalcarcelERIS Alba Abreu Sonja Flores UNC at Chapel Hil Frank G. Wilkes Donald B. Francisco James C. Lam TEI Terry Anderson Martha G. Roberts Coordinating Activities chard F. Cole, Field Coordinator, UNC Guatemala, 1966-69 Donald T. Lauria, Field Coordinator, UNC Guatemla, 1969-71 Ing. Humberto Olivero, Director, ERTS, 1965-67 Ing. Rodolfo Gonzales, Acting Director, ERIS, 1967-present Ing, Egar Celada, INDE The production of a report of this size and complexity requ: the services of many people. I would like to particularly acknowledge the part played by Miss Sue Thore, who typed and retyped the manuscript, June Foushee for her assistance in detailed review of the final draft, and Miss Dawn Leland and Mrs, Patricia Jagermanis, who drafted many of the figuresxv SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS The proposal to develop Lake Avitlin as a hydroelectric pool with river ersion into the lske to replace draw-off water led to an investigation to establish the current water quality characteristics of Atitlin and to project the impact on the Iske that would follow the development of this project. Through the combined effort and resources of several agencies of the Guatenalan goverment, the Regions School for Sanitery Engineering st the University of San Carlos, Gustenala, and technical assistance from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill by contractural arrangements with the Regional Office for Central America and Panana of the Agency for International Development, a progran of investigation was carried out ix the period June, 1968-May, 1970. Although some fishery investigations and other biological studies were made as en rly eo th ‘st and second decades of the 20th Century, no significant Limnological measurements were made until, 1950. Even though Deevey's 1950 samplings were Limited in mmber, his data does supply a reference point for changes that nay have occured in the past 20 years. The present determinations of physical, chemical and biological characteristics of Lake Atitl&n, plus the detailea bathy- metric survey by the Institute Geografico Nacional have established a new point in the chronology that may eventually see major changes in the character f this unique body of water. A clearly defined sequence of seasonal temperature stratification and mixing takes place in Lake Atitain, Highest surface water temperatures were associated with the end of the dry season and the maximum air temperatures that occurred in May. Although high air temperatures persisted through June, July, and August, the onset of the rainy season in June, and with it an extended cloud cover, actuallyxvi, allowed som surface cooling by mid-August. Stratification vith a well-defined metelimnion developed by late March and persisted into early December. Final and complete ieing did not take place until mid. December, persisting into Februa: This mixing sequence, howev r, took place within a very narrow temperature range. ‘The temperature of the bottom water at 300 meters held in a narrow range of 19,5- 20°C through the year, and surface water seldom exceeded 23.5-24°C, When the lake was otratified, the metalimion extended to a depth of 60-120 meters. This depth varied somewhat wt different locations within the lake at any one time. Examinas tion of isotherms in transects across the lake showed that this zone of temperature transition varied with a such a manner as to suggest that the changes m ent have been duc to currents. Temperature anomalies were also detected in which cold water overlay warmer water, with indications that the density differences w: re aue to che cal stratification. The clarity of Lake Atitl@n has shown little nge within the period of term reference, althou current investigation vated seasonal effects associated with the reinfall cycle. At periods of minimin transparency, Secchi disk readings were € to 10 meters, com pared to values of 20 meters under maximum conditions. Underwater photometry indicated that s coh sonal decreases in transparency, associated with shallower readings, showed green light penetrated deepest. As water cleared with settling cut of particulate matter, penetration of shorter wave lengths improved. When the lake was at its clearest, blue light penetrated to a greater depth than the green, It would appear from the natural seaconal variations of transparency thet Lake Atitlén is sensitive to a high degree to changes in suspended particulates. Vertical plankton hauls of the upper 20 meters of the lake demonstrated limited differences in species and numbers in any one season throughouttthe main body of Lake Atitlén. However, the Bey of Santiago and the Bay of San Lucas were consistently richer in totel biomass collected. Seasonal patterns in collections were clearly evident, with the maximum plankton crops occurring et the ond of the rainy season, Hxaninetion of vertical distribution patterns indi- cated a tendency for the phytoplankton to have larger populations ab some depth below tho surface with come species differences in their yortical aictribution. The zooplankton populations vere consistently collected in maximum maihers from the deepest levels sampled, which was probably associated with diumal vertical migration. Review of the taxonomy of the zooplankton of Lake Atitiin noted a characteristic seasonal change in the population structure. Again, the richest stations were in the to challover bays of the lake. Comparison of the piological characteristics of Lake Atitlan over a period of 60 years was possible, because of the collections made ty Jaday in 1910. Two chenges are noteorthy. Jaday had reported Ceratium from several other Central American lakes, but not from Atitlén, although it 1s now quite common. ‘xo species of rotifer, which were not reported by duday are now found in considerable mumber, Elatyias patulus and Asplancha priodonte, The contemporary collections include specimens of both Bosmina coreront and Bosmina longirostris. The earlier collection included only the former, It is interesting that the presence of the Latter hae been reported as oceurring as oligotrophic lakes becone more eutrophic, Primary productivity measurements, using C-1} tagged carbonate, in two series of vertical exposures showed that Lake Atitlfn had carbon fixation values of 77.4 and 102.0 maC/n’/12 hour day, vecpectively, This places Lake Atitlén productivity withia the range of measurements made on other oligotrophic lakes, but it ia 50-100 ‘ames Less than the rates of carton fixed as measured by light-dark Dotéle oxygen consumption in Lake Amatitlin, a eutrophic lake. The chemical characteristics of Lake Atitlin, as described by the currentpedi investigation showed considerable variation in concentration of severel parameters in vertical sampling from the usual systematic changes with depth, These varia- tions were evident in both conservativ= and non-conservative elements, Indicative of possible contributions from underwater springs of water of different ionic con centration as well as biological activity. Unusual values of pH end dissolved oxygen at levels as deep as 140 meters we "@ suggestive of biological activity, even though Light intensity at this depth would be very low. Over the past 21 years the concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus in Lake Atitlén have changed put little exept £ wa possible slight increase in nitro) Chemeisl matching of river water quality characteristics with the chemi characteristics of the upper 80 meters of Lake Atitlin, when both were sampled within @ span of a few days, confimed that outflow from Leke Atitlén, through subterreanesn passages, probably discharges to the Rio Madre Vieja. Wo other has chemical ch: river on the Pac: acteristics slope drainage of Lake Atitui which even remotely ressemble that of the waters of the Lak: Although sampling of the rivers associsted with the diversion scheme for water replenishment of Lake Abitian has been carried out for only a little over are diverted into Lake Atitlan one year, the data gathered indicates that If the rl their chemical and physical characteristics would produc & major change in the Jake. The major diversion is proposed from the Ric Samsié, with the total quantity to be @iverted from all rivers being approximately 6-15 m3/sec. The high sediment ¢ of the Rio Samalé would introduce into load and comparatively colder tenperatur Lake Atitlin a water of higher density at every season of the year, This water would always sink to the deepest levels of the Leke, filling the deep basin. Water drawn off through the Bay of Santiago, with a controlling depth of approxizately 80 meters, would be selec ively removed from the surface of the lake. If an average diversion flow rate of 10 m3/sec is used for the computation of time to fill thexix basin, based on @ lake wlune of 24,418 kml, this flow, if it were the omy flow into the lake, would replace about 1.3% of the volune per year and take approximately 77 years to completely replace the exlating water in the lake. Since the continued contribution from underwater springs as well as the discharge characteristics of surface streams now going into the lake are not fully known, the net replacement time might actually be slightly longer or shorter. Hoseves because of the physical characteristics of the lske, 2 deep baain with relatively shallow sill depth for the draw-off channels as well as the higher density of the inflowing water, this water replacement sequence would most probably take place. of Lake Atitlin as known The physical, chemical and biological characteris today would no longer exist.Generation of electric power by the controlled fall of water is considered to be an optimum ene’ nd the water ri generally sufficient to offset n particular in many underdeveloped countril source if properly developed is self Recommendations generally souree. No fuel requirements are involved, replenishing et the quantity used, Throughout the wo: the need for expanded sources ¢ electrical energy will often lead to the damming of rivers to form hydro- power pools, Technical ke Atitlén, here, in this i the size of the hydro-power tion of the growing Guatemalan factor in the hydro-power devel tor into the lak neration. eason high flows, into the lak: In several respec world. Aside from urs hape, depth h in its physical, 2 water resource ions that involve capital proposed for the Abitlan pro, considerations often sugg: The proposed solution is to divert nearby rive Lake Atitli tropical location have combined to chemical an £ Guatemala but even more so a n ect should be reexamined. st hydro-power has stance, the magnitude of the power head as well pool is capable of providing a significant por= electricsl energy requirements. The missing opemnt proposed for At insufficient to replace the planned draw-off for during the to maintain normal lake levels. is unique among all the lakes of the uty of its setting, the factors of altitude, form a body of water d Dielogical cteristics onal treasure. As that will follow expenditures of the same order of magnitude as These should includeconsideration of major energy producing installations utilizing fossil or mele 8, sited at or near Puerto de San José or Puerto Berrios to facilitate the transport of fuel. Other hydrowpower sites, particularly along those rivers draining to the ibbean end in the high rainfall regior, should also be considered for develop %. A series of relatively small impoundments along a Caribbean slope river e better insurance for uninterrupted power than the dependency on the water v tunnels of the Atitlin project, located in a seismically sensitive area. It is also recommended thet © progran of study and investigation be established 40 evaluate many of the unusual features of Leke Atitlan, A center for the study 1 lekes located on Lake Atitlen would attract scientists from #ll nations. In the imedinte future a program of twice yearly sampling, preferably in July and ‘Y; should be instituted. tations A, B, G, D and 14 should be sampled from surface to dobtom to establish long term trends in the physical, chemical biological characteristics of Lake Atitifn. Taese may already be changing at te, due to the activ orary man along its shores nd on its waters,Chapter 1 Historical Perspective -revious Scientific Investigations, Leke Atitlén Tt would appear that the earliest scientific studies on Lake Atitlen were concerned with fishes of the region and were published by Meck (1908). Altaough conditions are generally unfavorsble for fishing due to the steep shores and very Little shallow water, Meck recommended stocking with various species of fish, cuch as reinbov trout, eteelhead trout, Landlocked salmon largemouth black bass, rock bass and crappie. The first serious Limological studies were carried out by Juday (1915), and these give us todsy reference points to establish the magnituds of change of the chemistry and biology of Lake Atitlén that may have taken place in the past helf century. Shortly after World War IZ the U. 8, Fish end Wildlife’ Service, in one of a series of special reports on the wildlife of Guatemala, published a document on “Recommendations for the Development of the Fisheries Resources of Guatemals" by A. D, Holloway (1950). His recommendation was essentially to supplement the existing catch in order to.provide a fishery adequate for local food require nants. It elso implied that a sport fishery vould be a valuable additions) attraction. His recommendation for the food and sport fishery was the intro~ duction of the crappie (Ponoxis nigro-maculatus) and small mouth bass (Microp- terus dolomion), He specifically recommended against the introduction of the largemouth bass unless the crappie tended to become too mumerous and the large- mouth base would forage on it. Deevey (1957) in his "Limnologic Studies in Middle America" included some very pertinent observations on Lake Atitlan and particularly its hydrographic and chemical characteristics as compared to other Askes of the middle American region. This, too, provides a major reference point with date from the sumer of 1950,l \ | | he introduction of a foreign apecies of fish in any body of water always brings with it the hazard of the development of an ecological imbalance, This has been the interesting case in Lake Atitldn where the largemouth bass (Micropterus selnoides) becane the predator of the rave Giant Piad-billed or chick (Rodilywbus gigas) (Powers and Bowes, 1967). This rare bird, the entire world's population being confined to Lake Atitl&a, wae in danger of being exterminated. It thus became necessary to protect its breeding grounds in a rn ahore of Lake Atitlén by using the fish toxicant antinycin to kill all of the largemouth bass tn this Limited area, The cove was then protected with a fence to restrict entry of the bass. Following the preliminary studies on the potential of Lake Atitiéa as a fishery resource, Dor 8 and Sumnerfelt (1965) prepared a proposal to the government of Guatensls on the developnent of the Atitién fishery which would follow extensive Limnological studies to ascertain Its full potential, Their initial report has an ex ensive review of the fishery of Lake Atitln, including references prior to the collections of Meck. Some of Dorris and gumerfelt's observations relate to data that was collected in 1968 and 1969 for this repo: Other important documents which provi le reference point to char and biology are the studies by Tilden (1908) and Clark (1908) on the algae of Take Atitlén. Current Requirement for Limnologic Data Gustemnla faces a serious energy shortage and feasibility studies to provide this energy Indicate thet Lake Atitida could ve es @ hydro-power pool with river diversions replacing drew-off water. The question that needs to be resolved is not so much the technical feasibility of the engineering aspects of the project which requires tunneling in seismically unstable terrain,put rather what change would be wrought in the quality of the water of Lake Atitlén end how this would affect both its current as well as future uses. Another aspect of the question of using the lake as a hydro-power pool is the natural fluctuating water level that even within accurate historical record has moved within a range of seversl meters and over an even greater range in o curacy. That there are period in which measurements were made with lesser a: submerged villages Indicates much lower lake level at some time in the past. In the final analysis in the development of a water resource thet is fas unigue as Lake Atitl&n the question that needs to be resolved is whether it is more valuable to the nation as a potentiel energy source with the probable degradetion of its water quality or shall it be protected to be enjoyed in its uniquencss by future generations? This does not answer the question of where will the eneray needed by 8 growing nation come from. Fossil fuel steam plants at oceanside locations to simplify fuel importation or nuclear power plants at similar locations, both with the requirement for large volumes of cooling water are cuggested alternative: these questions are ones which need to be answered at the highest levels of government and the potential energy production balanced against the intangible asset of "one of the most begutiful lakes in the world”Chapter 2 Flan of Investigation Following the request for a tive participation in the studies on Lake Atitlén plans were made for a reconnaissance to be carrii 1968, to establish the feasibility of a detaile: participant: d with analytical servic of BRIS. Jamusry 25 and 26, 1968, were several of the station locations established by IGN. sketchy, did pro ie some insight into the tempera’ lake in Jenuary which will be discussed in Tt also became apparent follow detailed study at more stations would be necessary. A plan for such a program was developed wita the udies ried out in July, 1968, vy a field party from UNC, Chapel Hill, as well as participants from IGN and ERIS. Data col- in duly, 1968, justified requesting that monthly visits to the stations estab! ablished in July were to i ine temperature profiles and Secchi depths. arterly intervals more «ey Be ‘or chemical characteristics would also be carried out. At some of information concerning Lake Atitl4n an effort would be made @ possible chemical mate! i of the streans Atitl&n and that of the leke iti identify where and in what quantity the natural outflow from the occurring. Such a iver sampling program vas carried out in May of 1970 and 111 be rived in Chapter 9.| | | Analytical and Sampling of Procedures The basic analytical methodologies used in this investigation and particularly those samples analyzed in the laboratories of BRIS follow the procedures set forth in Standard Methods, 12th Rdition. However, where field sampling required immediate assessment of particular water quality parameters HACH Water Quality Field kits were used. In some instances samples were suitably preserved and returned to Chapel Hill for analysis (so noted Whon this step was taken). If the standard procedure was modified or cific point Af some other procedure was used, this is indicated at that in this report. Special procedures ouch as the Garbon-lh procedure for the seribed in the chapter which dise measurenent of productivity will be 4 particular datermination, Since the determination of vertical temperature profiles was to be an important and routine measurement, s one thousand foot thermistor sounding cable on reel with a rotary take-off was obtained.* The read-out used as the unit built by Hydrolab. his provided @ scale expansion for high multd~ras ¢ taken with an eight precision of the temperature readings. Water samples Liter Van Dorn bottle hung from a stainless steel cable wound on # hand 1). Underwater photometry was carried out using oparated winch (Fig. threewindow, tri-coler,caimium sulfide detectors in a suitable water-tight housing. Tt will be described in detail in chapter i, The boate used for sampling on Lake Abitlan required capacity as well as stability due to the mmber of samples thet were to be taken on seaworthy in the any one trip as well as the problem cf being sufficiently heavy wind generated waves that occurred nearly every afternoon. One of the Wiydrolab Corporation, Austin, Texas (aFig. 2-1. Top. Sampling boat. Bottom. Van Dorn bottle attached to cable and hand winch.| vessels that was used routinely is shown in Figure 2-1 with the winch frene mounted for hendling the Ven Dorn sampler. If only temperature profiles and diclogical samples vere to be taken, then a smaller and faster boat vas ase to permit a ach faster traverse Detween stations, Biological samples vere tsken with a number 12 plank! on net of a 9.5 inch ameter opening, This net, suitably weighted, was used to collect vertical samples in the upper twenty meters ty being allowed to parachute through the top twenty meters and was then reversed and hauled back to the surface, Tt thus sampled through forty meters of vater in the upper twenty meter section, At some stations this vert: ical sampling wes also carried out in the upper ten and five meters, In addition to the vert: sampling, the seme net was allowed to float on the surface, drifting away from the boat for twenty ters and wae thon hauled back to the boat, sampling a twenty meter swath as it was retrieved. ALL samples ware carefully rinsed from the net into ‘the collecting tube at the throat, transferred to a storage bottle and pre- ser a with neutralized formalin or Iugol's solution, All biological analyses were carried out Chapel Hil2. In bis discussion of the known information on the shape of the asin, Deevey (1957) notes that McBryde (1947) collected all available soundings but refrained from drawing any contours. Deevey added soundings made by Holloway and published (1957) bathymetric map of Lake Atitl&n with five contour lines sketched in indicating a Jarge central basin of at Least 300 meters depth. Wore recent surveys conducted by INDE and IGN utilizing echo-sounding and pres ‘fon location with woll-marked reference points on shore established sufficient depth reference points to develop a detailed bathymetric map that is now In process of publication. The maps describing the two bays of heJake, San Lucas and Sentiage, have been published. Reduced copies of these are included in Appendix A along with a general location map of Lake Atitl&n, Utilizing a print of the plotted sounding points with contours drawn in by ‘the IGN staff, 9 map was prepared using a 50 meter contour interval and is presented as Pigure 2-2. The off. al bathymetric map will be published by ICH. ‘The steepness of the basin is very evident and does not basically change fron th thymetry of the early maps based on far fewar sounding points. However, it is of interest to note that the basin is divided by e somewhat higher mid-basin ridge. From the new bathymetry the staff of IGN under Ing. Luis Garcia has prepared area-volume and depth-volume curves for the lake and other relevant dimensional information wh: presented in Appendix B. Station Lo Lon: In establishing sampling points to be used for the collection of ¢ it is essential that such re samples for water quality stu locations be readily located so that return to the same point can be made with some assurance and accuracy. In a lake the size of Atitién with its particular powl~like shape and depth, it night be argued that some central location plus stations in the two bays might provide the nece: ry infornation to establish major water quality characteristics as well es seasonal changes. However, 1b was quickly apparent after spending only a few days on the lake that local differences were clearly evident, due to possible current systems generated by wind action as well as the run-off from the two smail rivers that flow intermittently into the lake. A network of stations was established to fully characterize the Limnology of this body of water. Also paramount in a sampling progran is the question of manpower and logistics as related to the mumber of samples that need to be taken at each station and the mumbers of stations.2-2 Big Nyy BT{ qnevitebly compromises are mada, After due consideration of several grid aystens covering the lake Whleh would have developed an insurmountable sample problen, it was decided that the set of stations designated on Figure 2-3 by Letter would be the basic series for vertical sampling points and would be those stations to be sampled on a quarterly basis. The numbered stations : represent the series developed in the July, 1968 expedition. As is evident py the nunbered stations not being in linear sequence, as information was obteined it was necessary to return and fill in between the previously estab- ered stations were then used lished sampling points. to provide the additional lecations for quality characteristics, such as biological sampling, which could be taken from the temperature, Secchi disk, an snaller, faster boat, permitting sampling at all stations in about two days of operation. fn, locating oneself in any part of In spite of the size of Lake Ati the lake was comparatively simple, due to the size and nature of surrounding Jandmarks. The yoleanic cones and their relationships to each other provided sh a Location umsvally precise sighting lines which could be used to reestabl: ronents.. without the use of ne on the lake with a high order of preci: In addition, the saell clusters of houses on shore and generally at sone height above the level of the lake provided additional sighting points which in the clarity of the atmosphere at 5000 feet in the Guatemalan highlands made for a relatively easy way of locating oneself at any point on the Lake and returning to Lt without the necessity of placing markers or buoys. The location of several of the stations has been superimposed on photographic panoramas of the Jake nade from the surrounding heights (Figure 2-4). The availability of prominent lenduarks for relocation of station points is quite apparent from these photographs, as well as those in Figure 2| g-2 614“pajDoIpUl SUOIJD{s Hul|dwDS JOsAAES JO UOLJDDO] YJIM UDYIY 8407 Jo sADWPUDT “p-Z 614 DJO}0g mojaq poo! ay} qoosind o1y sae oBoYUEg ap oYog OlB@d UES UDsIOq odojog o1ojuy uos anogo poor ayy Wo14 JSamyjNOS ay} Of MaIA \ Sed 010 @p 0129, SS t 8 UDIINY UDdION oped UOS UBoIOA upUMoL UDDIOA,4 Chapter 3 Yenperature Characteristice me development of the station network on Lake Atitiéy was in part 0 develoged in the tyo week expe result of the vertical temperature profi: tion of duly, 1968. As stations were established and their vertical tempera ture profile determined, new stations Located mid-way between two pre~ stations would often be established, This was to determine whether the vertical temperature pattern persisted between the earlier stetions, or if a change was indicated, whether it was transitional or abrupt. As shown in Figures 3-1, 3 3+3, and 3-4, the several vertical profiles in Leke Atitldn in July, 1968 were all made between the dates of July 2 and July 8. hn asseubling this data it will be noted that in Pigure 3-1, stations 1, B, 2, A, and 3 form a series paralleling the northwest shore of the lake, In Figure 3-2, stations 4, 9, 5, 10 and 6 forma dine across the southern quarter of the lake; and in the final figure the two ons Gand 12 are shown ag well as those that are in or near the central, sti two bays of the leke, San Iucas, stations D and 11 and Ganbiege, stations # and 13, respectively. Yxanination of these vertical profiles indicated that this body of water had variation in the develoyment of its thermocline suggestive of density gradients and flow patterne that were probably, in part, of wind driven origin. Hote thet in Figure 3-1 the break in the surface isothermal layer at stations curred almost et the same point in depth, about 22 meters. In ween 1 and 2, and A, between 2 and 3 ang slightly contrast, station B, locatedA “UDI e407 ‘ Sa1tyosg SunposedwWe) [Dd1LIeA “|-¢ "BLY ee eevee | severn ese re “wr sxe. {-0001 i = NolLvss w Noles 2 woitvs @ Noli¥As, Totus 7 boos | ose f —. . boos 7 : : oon 0 + eee aa 7 . 7 + Loos ate 7 . 7 + boos i 2 | : : + tor g cot |. : ; ‘i ‘i + oor Br “ 7 . : on ow : : : : © Aco z 3 z 2 zs: ; ‘i . : i 2 cate : fs . 4 a a ost ete ° . . . . ae ee : : a : : : 7 fs se . : : : eters - 7 . | sik ° . . . os ° Tee b ge feb & eee Fee & & & ef & be do SULLVHRIIL,UDUNY eT f SellJorg einjoiaduiay (DoNJeA“Z-¢ BIg g| aaa POE» vary ever. 9/74 so/e/e +0001 9 Nous, o1 Wotias oNoilius 6 holds e Nols a ~~ wwe + to08 | ee te «+008 . + oon ove |- es . . + fo08 oa | . c eed . + boos ‘ . : « toor gop : ci ‘ . + foe bes . | . . . +“ 4 og | 2 oso . . . ° = boo & z Z Ess . . . : ‘i = Bok 7 : 7 5 : a iid . . . . qa Op | | * . e . eu e : . ‘ . boa s . . . . ap . : 7 ap « . . . 0s ae oe : : : Sleeee : : . at oO we eo we Re @ me moe e oo BunyeaanaLDEPTH IN METERS uonuy 2907 ‘ seljosd esmposeduies [Do48A"E-E°O14 eovest ex/e/t wor. oor} @ NoLus 2 noitvas a noiwis — F000! eee 008 ose o| 08 . foe coz |- a ~~ . + Love ost F . + foos . . | cov oo F + : oor 7 {og 990 . . + +002 § so . i . z os . . i § a tos ° . | ‘i ov Fs a 2 of ¢ . . cot « . . : ot a : si . . . ee oF 2 * i t- + a er De— SUNLVEBENL“UDNUY 9407 | selLJord esnjosedwEL JOo1}I0A “y-" 614 B9/B/L e9/8/L Bo/S/L 9/9 Basie Ha Basie : ee ae | tae ao ee eel la act en fees Beri . . . . 008 es ie iz : eee Ges F eee . . . . foo Boos . . . . . 8 jos! bed . . . . . of ! * 2 i . . a ce abt ; ; : : : : ° a ee eee oem sunuveRENaL 4335 NI HLeso— toward the center of the lake, showed the surface isothermal layer persis to ab least 32 or 33 meters before the transition to colder water was found, Tt was particularly noteworthy that once the temperature profile moved to the colder values in the deeper water @ second gr noted between 65 0 100 meters at stations 1 and 2 bub not at stations B and A temperature profile below 100 meters showed slightly warmer values than noted at the other stations in this area vhers the deep water was at o temperature of approxinately 20°C te the bottom. The significant aapect of these profiles is the fact thet the deepest water at all stations, as will also be seen in subsequent figures, was about 20°C or just slightly higher in July, 1968. At this Line of stations t surface isothermal layer was about 20 to 25 meters deep, close into shore at stations 1, 2 and 3, whereas st stations A and B, slightly farther into the lake, this layer persisted to a depth of approximately 30 to 33 meters before a temperature gradient was clearly indicated. 5, 10 and 6, along ‘he vertical tenperature profiles of stations 4, edge of the b the soutue! in, are shown in Figure 3-2. The surface isothermal vadient layer at station 4 extended to about 23 meters and then a gradual Geveloped with a change of slope at about 40 meters to a more gradual cooling to the bottom. Water of 20°C persisted all the way fron 125 meters to the bottom st 300 meters. Station 9, the next in sequence to the east, had a similar temperature profile, both as to the depth of the surface isothermal layer as well as the several transition points at which the rate of change of temperature with depth changed. At station 5, approximately the same distance surface isothermal to the east of station 9 as station | was to the west, layer extended to approximately 33 meters and then o temperature gradient wasce found to persist to the bottom, reaching minimum temperatures just above the bottom, somewast ehsllower et station 5 than at stations band 9. At station 10, about the same @istance to the east as station 5 was from eted to about 45 meters before the station 9, the surface isothermal layer per: temperature gradient was detected. The deepening of the surface isothermal water appeared to stop between stations 10 and 6 because at the latter station this layer was defined by @ temperature gradient that started at 25 meters. vottom Also noted at station 6 was the fact that the coldest water vas above th and at the deepest points a alight rise sbove minimum temperatures appeared to n dotected. pave s shown in Pigure 3-3 had a Stations 7 and C along the northeast shore surface isothermel layer somewhat shallower than that defined et station towards the north central portion of the lake. ‘The former showed a temperature gradient ab 30 and 25 meters respectively, whereas the latter started at 40 neters. Also at stations C and 7, the temperature gradient was sharper, at C reaching ita coldest point ab about 95 meters as compared to 125 meters at sta- tion 7. At station § the gradient persisted almost to the bottom, the coldest water being detected at 150 meters just above the botton, Two additional central lake stations, G and 12 shown in Figure 3-k, mo: arly resembled in temperature profile the water defined by stations 9 and 5. Whey are relatively close to each cther, and in comparison to 9 and 5 the temperature gradient was somewhat shorper, and the deeper water was perhaps slightly varmer, approaching 21°C. sebion D at the mouth of the Bay of San Incas and 11, directly north, showed @ surface isothermal layer for the former that more nearly ressembled stabion 10, whereas stetion LL approximated that of station 6, the next station to the north of it. ‘he distinctly deeper temperature gradient at station Dclearly defined a water mass ab that point that was somewhat different from that at station 11, approximately a kilometer to the north. Stations E and 13 in the Bay of Santiago (Fig. 3-4) had similar surface isothermel layers extending to about 35 meters folloved by a temperature gradiont to the coldest water of just under 21° c. Synoptic Temperature Transectis ‘Tae variation in vertical temperature distribution patterns as found in the short interval in July 1968 led to an examination of these tenpe: patterns with reference to transects along lines defined by the pattern of stations. Since Lake Atiti&n is approximately oval in shape, with a basin of reasonably uniform dimension, the pattern of stations permitted transects to be drawn along several axes. However, for purposes of this study five were designated as shown in Figure 3-5, by the letters A-A’, B-B', G-C', DD! and E+E", With all the temperature profiles having been taken within a few deys, they were considered tc be essentially synoptic. One year later in July, 1969, a similar series of profiles was taken at the sams station locations and these used for comparison along the same transect lines. These five transects and ibution patterns are presented in Figur their temperature dist 3+9 and 3-10. Examination of the temperature patterns along these transects indicated one undeniable characteristic: the temperature distribution patterns in the sane month in two consecutive years were quite different. Perhaps the most significa: difference was that in 1968 the deep water of the basin was warmer by almoat 0.5-19 ¢ than it was a year later, sections A, A’ and B, BY, for example. The internal changes in temperature structure are very suggestive of current systems and may possibly be a reflection of wind generated currents moving in a gyre in the central basin. This suggestion 1s particularly clear in section B, B' and i nesesnsnsensessaneseite22 - g-¢ 614 ayouproxida 5) ‘vo1}099] J SNOILYIO7 NOLLWIS NOUV 347 B, 2 ey ny une comune Drevnoe crave wes-23-| JULY (968 | 410 420 22.0 430 aus 5 w b dao © u 210 400 \ us ee e a 1 450 = \ x fenen | rE eee | uo : feo a 208 1° & : fio & a | j \ stations —> @ JULY 1969 | 40h 10 i sob 8089 i 22 | 5 2 | ws dao e | ws 2 | e ¢ : ni 5 | x = | z 2 a = | 3 e i a a 5 i 400 i 500 150 i soo| + i 200 700 | | 200 900 evil | r ieitaesteuutanuatadstauitae srarions—> @) Fig, Section A-A', Scale - Kilometers Synoptic Temperature Transects , Lake AtitignJuLy 68, Su eee em” io Fig 3-7 Section 6-6", Scale Kilometers. Synoptic Temperture Tronsects Lake Aitien DEPTH METERS DEPTH METERS25] f JULY 1968 20m aol 10 60 1 ~20 eee ese ree | 20- ee ce eece er aS 4 D y40h 40 W Tae { jf oF ce | x Or | = wer fo: 5 | & zoof {so & { ia 00 a re wi o {100 9 400 f soo 4150 soot 1 i F 204) {200 | 100 1 : B00 ses0 \ 909 treba : Peaacatie Seimei | starions—> @) € © ae JULY 1969 10 420 | 5 & i 8 Z 40 6 8 205 \e 2 ; o@ 5 | t so = eae ya ) 5 x & = a 20.0 so ew 3 200 i 4250 seeds de te PHEEcH: 4 fs of 7 8 af 1 j stations > @) © @® © 1 Fig. 3-8.Section C-C', Scale Kilometers. Synoptic Temperature Transects, Lake Atitlsn26.) zob JULY 1968 a 40 “10 60} 23.0 i eof 2s i 329 oof 48 30 r oF 210 o 20 f uso }4o H isof | ti igo fh 8 i x ; E 200 20s so = | 8 300% foo f Foo # a soof 150 600, | 200 700 F 800 bot gol +f stations +@ 20F 40r ‘0 60F | ' 23.0 20 sol 225 | 288 oof 313 30 \ i b 120F @ | 205 40 uf ui 1 tot S.C ,_—E™ i oo i 1160 | = z= 480 4 E woh i \ cee 7 ¢é 200 20.0 feo . | 300 ‘00 8 4o0b 500 150 600 200 700 > 800 F ee | t we fendi ssid L 3 Fe ae ER STATIONS > @ @ Fig.3-9.Section 0-D', Scale - Kilometers Synoptic Temperature Transects , Lake Atitiin ‘SEee mem cena mer ercn een eR NEAR eS SADA TTT LN EE BELT EDO T NNDEPTH- FEET DEPTH-FEET 20¢ 40b sob gol 100 120F isol 160 180 200 300 400 500 600 700b goor gootrre tis ieiid ato mbt gtritritiriitisirdiiiaia ta JULY 1968 20.5 digoslirii iin © JULY 1969 600 700 800 300 L 1 et ota fee Pte stations —> @ © © Fig.3-10. Section E-E', Scale - Kilometers Synoptic Temperature Transects, Lake Atitlén. DEPTH- METERS DEPTH- METERS©, C" in July of 1969. The isotherms of the July, 1968 sections in nearly alt instances had a slope placing the metslimnion at shallover depths at stations alosest to the shore and at deeper levels in mid-basin, This is most clearly seen in section B, D', for instance, In @ basin of such uniform bowl-like dimensions and of such great depth, oscillations resulting fron wind driven energy or selomic disturbances cowld ver h seiches that might persist for some time. Tidal motions establis well estab by the gravitational pull of the sun and moon might also reinforce such oscil- ‘sions and keep them in motion, Seasonal Tempersture Changes As soon as it became apparent thet Take Atitlén had a well-defined thermal gradient separating a surface isothermal Layer of considerable thick- ness from the deep pool of colder water, it was ev dent that the seasonal temper ture changing processes, fall or winter overturn, snd the spring and summer re- heating process, would have to be more clearly defined. Monthly vertical temper det ined through 1968 and 1969 ab most of the Lake Atitlin ture profiles wel stations that had been established in July 1968. The data nerated by this systonatic set of observations permitted defining the seasonal temperature chang ae described in Figures 3-11 - 3-17. ‘hese seasonal isctherna have been arrange in sets of stations of relative proximity. Temperature contours of 0.5° ¢ have been drawn from the monthly vertical profiles, Where a temperature profile is absent or the data points are too far apart to Justify drawing a solid line, the extrapolation is defined by a dashed line. Although all stations lack a data serles in August, September and October ie sufficient reference of 1968, data for July and Novenber fortunately prov! points to describe the fall overturn sequence and to confim that in 1968 the deep water of the ake basin was distinctly warmer than in 1969. At all statiorTe a = ZRE8ER eek eesasy ESSEZEES Eee s ees eh eT TES aT LE ahs) B Bee \ = a36 ‘the fall overturn occurred in late Novenber and early Deceaber in a very vrief span of time as might bs expected with the enall temperature differences between the top and bottom water. ‘The lake remained in a well mixed condition until warming conmenced vy mid-Februsry. i imum temperatures were, in eac! case, well established by mid-June with surface ling starting with the onact of the rainy season early in July and August. It vould appear that the isothermal state of the surface water extended even deeper as the rainy season progressed, but the thermal gradient was not destroyed until the winiy weather of Noverber exerted its effects on the Lake. Anomalous temperature distribution patterns occurred with sone frequency in the lake. As seen in Figure 3-12 at station 3, November 1969, a well-defined pool of colder water at about 25 meters underlay the 2 ¢ warmer water above and 1,5° C warmer water immediately beneath, Station 3 being close to shor 2 the mid-depth colder water may he an outflow from some spring or shore discharge, Tals colder water was not found at stetion A, the nearest station, although the @1P and 20° C isotherms were almost exectly at the sane depth as at station 3. The year to year changes in temperature of the deepest water were sufficient to show at station & the 19,5° ¢ contour in October and November of 1969 approximately 100 meters, At this sane depth, it was clearly 5° warmer in the preceding year. Other characteristics of the seasonal isotherms are the internal wave- Like motions seen at several of the stations such as G and 10 in the spring and of 1969. This was also evident at station 12 to a lesser degrea, but notably absent at station 7 and station C, stations which are nearby. However, station D, which had vertical temperature profile characteristics similar to lar to those station 10, also showed internal wave motions of the isotherns| 7 ‘that were detected at station 10, To ® lesser degree, these same vertical Gisplacenents of the isotherms were also evident st station ll, The effects of the severe hurricane of Septenber, 1969, which drove across Guatemala from ions but may hav the Caribbean, was not too apparent in the de been responsible for the tenporary mixing of the isothermal layer at stations Band 1h as seen in the vertical displacement of the 2% ¢ isothern. Temperature AnomsLies In the first reconnaissance of Lake Atitién in January, 1968, temperature profiles were taken at several of the lettered stations using a YSI thermistor probe with 8 sounding cable of 125 meters. As shown in Figure 3-18, the tempera- ture profiles, determined at station B on Jamary 25, had a remarkable temperature jump at 37.5 meters. ‘The warner layer of water was firet detected ac a gradual increase in temperature from 10 meters and may have been @ response to temporary cooling of the surface due to weather conditions, but the considerable increase of 3.5 © between 35 and 37.5 meters was something out of the usual, Down to 125 eters the usual temperature gradient of cooling with depth wae found and the water at the deepest point sounded vac 2 C, The increase in tempérsture with depth was also noted ab stetion ¢ but not as sharp and at station F (later redesignated station 15) st a sousvhat deeper level, The characteriatics of the temperature inversion at stations ¢ and F would be more akin to mixing processes due to Wind and the colder weather of the winter season, In an attempt to establish the reality of this temperature inversion, the systematic change in solids content of the water samples taken at these stations wae compared to the changes in temperature. At stations A and B the total solids content incroased from the surface to approximately the depth at which the sharp tempezature in- version was observed, That such temperature inversions should exist in this ody of water and not be due to some instrument error or some other condition[3] “UDI 807 ‘e[!JOJrq unjosedwies [D148 “BI-¢ B14 i e ° e ° + e + + e ozi ° ° ° i. 002! “PF . O£60 ostl = ogo! © g96i'9z ‘uor * go6itg9z vor 996i ‘sz “wor * — g96i'sz “uo ied duos TO © 9 uoHDS a uoyois ° g@ uoynig JOO! . e ° . ° ° 06 e e e + + + 9 e ° ° o 9 e e e 0 ° ° + + ° qo. > ° ° . a e ° + + . -jo9 @ e e ° 2 e pn @ naw e sos a e ° e e Ce « — é e e e ° + °@ + e e ie e aE os uidea TT ° T 1y909S ° velit 1 eedidle soatiiGadmabe ties3 dis seen in the temperature date reported for August 3, 1967 by Dorris end gumerfelt In thelr preliminary report, "The Fishery of Lake Atitifn, Guatemalat! In summarising their investigations, they noted: Most of our water temperature measurements were made in Santiago Bay. ‘Temperature was measured in the open lake only once, [location was not defined] and except for an anomalous e differed reading of 23.9? ¢ at 4.5 meters, the lake pro little from Santiago Bay. A sharply defined metalimnion existed between 30-46 meters dupth, with temperature in the epilinnion varying between 22.2-23. ©, and in the hypolimion petwaen 19.5-20.59° C. hat they noted at L,5 meters rose from 22.2° ‘the anomalous temperature 0 at the surfece to 23.7 C at the indicated depth and decreased again to 22.° at 13.5 meters. Several days later this anomaly at 4.5 meters was no longer evident. The mouth of the Bay of Santiago te due south of station B and in line with 4t, A complete and satisfactory explanation for these anomalies is Jarified when by chance an investigator not yet forthcoming and may only be would be on site to detect such inversion and trace it acrosa the lake to a possible source of warm water discharge. Sunnary Determination of the temperature distribution patterns in Lake atitlén: at a network of stations established that the lake undergoes stratification eng mixing due to seaschal changes of heat flow in and out of the lake. At maxim @ifference the temperature range from top to bobtom was only 5? C. Te was observed that the bottom vater was 1+1.9°C cooler in the second sunmer of research, ‘The circulation mechanism of Lake Atitign would appear to be primarily40 oler climate of Novenber due to wind mixing associated with the slightly on (1957) has noted, Lake Atitién, as compared through February. As Hutchi to other lakes, requires considerable wind energy, 0.16 g. ~em. cal.” to been produce the observed distribution of temperatures that ha: corded by peevey (1957). Of significance to the proposed power development project is the overall relatively high temperature of the entire water mass and the consequence of introducing replacement water from rivers which are somewhat colder, The density difference would result in the introduced water sinking to the bottom and eventually displacing the overlying layers with water of significently different quality characteristics.fa Chapter & optical Properties ‘The appearance of a body of water and particularly lakes is the subjective response of the human observer to the various chemical and biological factors that establish the apparent color of the water. Water of 2 blue to blue-green color, highly transparent and glistening in the bright sunlight instinctively evokes the positive psyehelogical reaction normally associated with terms of beauty. The oval basin of Lake Atitl4n, surrounded by high cliffs and towering volcanic peaks is like a clear sapphire suspended beneath a sky of comparable color. In the reality of scientific description the color of the water as sean in the year 1968-69 and 1970 is still the bluish-green as originally described by duday and confirmed on the Forel-Ule color scale of VII as determined by Deevey in 1950. Secchi Disk Transparency Tho unusual transparency of Lake Atitlén vas strikingly evident on the very first occasion when this observer had the opportunity to lover a Seeehi disk in the reconnaissance survey of January, 1968. On the first lowering et Station B a Secchi disk of twenty cembineters diameter disuppeared at 17 meters telow the surface. On the following day, at station C, the Secchi transparency was determined to be 18.5 meters. This device, although dependent on complicated considerations of transparency and back scattering, does provide @ tool which can be used by nearly anyone, and if observations are made systemstically they wi describe changes that ean be related to other properties of the water, particu- of this device was, qa dy changes in quantity of suspended particulate matter. U therefore, established as part of the basic routine, and this measurement carriedout ab all stations whenever tenperature profiles or any other determinations were made. ALL Secchi disk readings for the sequence of visits to Lake Atitlén hetween gu2y, 1968 and October, 1969 nave been assembled for each station and arranged in & comparison series in Figure he stations are arranged from lett to right in groups of three and consist of stabions imediately adjacent to each other or ones that forms Line of stations. Marked sessonal fluctuations in transperency were found and were related to the anmual rainfall cycle charac- teristic of the Guatemalan highlands, there being a dry season from Nevenber enrough Yay, with the rains starting im June and another short, clear period in duly fonloved by the heaviest precipitation in late sumer and early fal1. ithe characteristic rainfall pattern of this aren is sean in the reproduction of the data sheets for the rain gauges ab San Pedro La Iaguna on the western end of take Avitifn and at San Rafael sbove Panajachel for the period July, 1968- June, 1969 (Appendix C). me range of transparency varied fron es shallow as |l-5 meters to as great sx 20 meters at any ons station. The maximum transparency was observed @& station 4 in February, 1969, @ depth of 22 meters. Not alt stations developed maxim transparency at the sane time, and it vas evident that stations relative ly close inshore, such es P and station 1h at the head of she Bay of Santiago, hag on the average shallover Secchi readings. Although increases in turbidity que to rain and run-off would reduce lake transparency, it generally aid not start to decrease consistently until mid-May. The reduction of Secchi disk trans- parencies from the mecima in mid-winter through @ period of Littie or no rela, Meron-Mey, woula appear to indicate that the increase in back scattering of oscopic plant and animal material. Light was probably due to increases in tig2190 FA == w= Fi 2 4038 4 Ly ez 9nv L Zama “4 _ be ana — 4 — La 22 Av “4 4 ba g2 Tid? 4 - 92 HUH “1 {4 1 pot bz OFd — oF 69,22 NU }-——A 1 2/090 4 — WON + I La 89,2 AIL -—— —4 tt as ez 190; @ < oe = e @ G2 1438 Li | Zon A ATO bz INL \ Ls 22 AW Sree 4 52 Nad ~— | A 4 92 Hoy 4 —— bz O34 4 a 69, L2,NIP + “4 - 2/230 am AON 4 Ka ba i 89. 24700. a t = a2 190 G2 Ld9S + rH i LETTERS AND NUMBERS IN | RIGHT CORNERS ARE | STATION DESIGNATIONS i “dl ez 9nv | Zam 4 2 anne 4 4 22 Av |} —4 4 a 92 Ted? — 4 = 92 How 2 834 a | ay | Lo acs 69,42 Wor 4 4 21-930 t A Sar ena 1 AON kA bt tb = 4 99,'2 A100 —4 - Fert beoue i oars veusg TOU 20- a4 e4 12 16 20-4 a4 84 2 164 20- LAKE ATITLAN, GUATEMALA Fig. 4-I. SEASONAL CHANGES IN SECCHI DISK DEPTHS‘4 was also apparent from the changing Se in Figure liel that not all statdous had the same Srans paren 4-2 bo balk the 3 ni readings on any sampling Ps In Figure oa, generally within two or tht e lake, are identified ab the station ¢ days for the ent iocations, It was evident that different areas of the lake & digterent transparency characteristics. For example, in July, 1968, the eastern portion af the loke was shallover in transparency om the order of 2-3 meters than the Jine of stations along the western edge of the 18ke tn turn the trans- pareneies in the Bays of Santiago and San Tucas were S* 1 shallower. By November ona of the rainy season, Secchi dick transparency Was the lake, although at some stations it } in July. Essentially, the nore transpare ss eran aained about the san one month of no rainfall December meacuraments showed th transparency; 7 or & meters to 15 or evident along the # 969 the stations along showed & mau om the preceding month, whereas th western shore remained about 4 wuary the cont 2 Increased and west dy reachin max: cat values for the ¥ gat in transparency was found, continuing in th the central leke stations through Aprils the pe: % apheral stations tended to renain fairly high. Although transparenci throughout the lake remained high into May, those stations near the @! the Rio Quiscab and Rio Panaj crease of transparency5 ay gy. / ) W901 { umoys syideg yo eboieny e961'6-2 Ane | ¢ SU3Z13W - SH1d30 IH993S FonGeeten cs : | | > t pan | be a NL | gga aN set oot J | j uD Pee ee | |fa ot SH3L3W - SHLd30 1HO03S LS “xy, Se a wrwrel umoys suidag 49 ebou9Ay gg6l ‘g1-21 930 SuaLaW -SH1d30 1H993S‘g-b Old 6 oak pisos sm west umoys syideg 4o sboieny 2 696) ‘0g -22 ‘Nut Navy suaua ~SH1d30 1H0935 \ ) ? tee Pen \ \ ssi gst + set \ Sakig est i nae ov ott fe i oi \ r \ oat He on 7 oo Bere SL?wea mous syjdaq Jo eboseny 696) '92-b2"834 ‘SUALSW - SHLd30 [HORS a r st at suet a) teen r ——2 b Bla [se] CE worl 63. SU3L3W -SH1d30 1HO3S 92-S2 HOUW ae ab ae +wrer mous syidad Jo eboseAy eaei'92-S2 WHat SUBLIW -SHLd30 HOSS \ ecspaiaKow aynr S007 WS we'll mous suidag yo abo.e0y e96i'8z-12 AVN gu3L3W -SHLd30 1HOOBS S gg eee eeeSS oom af weol > mous suidag yo eboseAy e96i'S2-bz 3nnr SuaL3W -SHLé30 1903S x“ rte a \ ee) L rer a | BQ oot Fenn ul hi oveumous sytdea 40 8601000 eg6l 6-2 x1nr SuaLaW -SHId30 1H903S ay . wf peesuakanows f Se 7 \ | » 2 woe ay | £45 umous sysdaq Jo eBoseny eat pi, 6961'62-82 “ONY ae : qu | u343W - SHLd30 1093S ced eS ot ieee ON ( of eta { \ Te eed : ¢ weer _ ost ggg eer oat oat + ot Seen ott o8 wa BROS NK? oi fe“ei-p Bla Ese. oa 8 xe in -S@ 143s[sve | ue wee umoug suidaq so #Bo.80y 6961'52-82 ‘190 “A SUBLBI- SHL¢30_ 1HO03S “Laas compared to other stations. By the end of June the lake was far more uniform, with a transparency of shallower depth than in the previous several months, having on the average Secchi disk reading of about 10 meters. This decrease of transparency continued through July, 1959, with the transparency depth aver- aging less than 10 meters. With continuetion of the rainy season the transparency continued to decrease, reaching tine lows of the year in Septenber. The heavy rains generated by the murricane which cane in fron the Caribbean and broke up on the mountains of Guatemala produced extrenely heavy rainfall and run off. Bven under this extreme circumstance the shallowest transparency reading was still 2 meters at the station inshore near Panajachel. Throughout the open lake, readings were on the order of 5-8 meters. By the end of October the water was clearing once more as fine particulates settled out. Secchi disk readings aver- aged about 8 meters at this tine. Relative Absorption of goler Radiation The depth of penetration of solar radiation into a body of water establishes the effective depth of the euphotic zone, Solar radiation entering pure water is absorbed selectively with the minimm being sbsorbed et about 4,700 a, At wave lengths greater than 7,500 A? about 99 of the solar radiation is absorbed by a meter of pure water. ALL natural waters have higher absorptions than pure water due to suspended particulates as well as disolved coloring material. Gen- erally, dissolved substances absorb strongly in the violet and blue, moderately at middle wave lengths, and to a lesser degree at longer wave lengths. Therefore, when substances are present in small quantities the water will be most transmissive in the green. In the period between the January reconnaissance of 1968 and the two week ntensive study of July, 1968, an underwater photometer incorporating threecadmium sulfide sensors mounted in one submerseble unit was developed. This permitted determination of the penetration of three different wave lengths of Light on the same lowering. ‘The underwa’ photometer used on Lake Atitién is shown in Figure 15. The circuitry for this model is described in Figure 4-16. Tais circuitry and the method of mounting the ce: s in a plastic block are besed on the designs and suggestions of Peter Kilham of Duke University. he spectro- transmission of the color filters used in the under. wn in ater photometer is si ‘igure 4-17, Although there is considerab. ove: sp of the blue and green filters, end the peak sensitivity of the cadmium sulfide cell used for the green and blue detector is more sensitive in the green, vy suiteble adjustments of the cire and balancing all cells to equivalent response in direct sunlight at the water surface prior to submergence the relative penetration of each wavelength can be Getected systematically. A subsequent development of this instrument is also shown in Figure 4-15, using circuitry deseribed in Figure 4-18. Light penetration measurements were made in Lake Atitlén in July, 1968, jovember, 1968 and January, 1969. In Figure 4-19 the log relative intensi tration curves deseribing depth of penetration at three wave lengths a for stetions 1, 6 and 7. These three stations, on the dates notea, had a that Secchi disk readin, re 12, 11 and 10,2 meters re: ectively. The tions form a line across the northern ent of the lake, one being on the tern shore, one in the center and one toxard the eastern shore. In each , 88 might be expected from the natural color of the lake, green light showed the greatest depth of penetration, ‘his wave length decreased in intensity von the surface by less than a factor of 10 at 30 meters at station 1, and at eters for station 8 and station 7, T% 8 difference is of significance, since the Secchi disk reading at station 1 was slightly deeper than either station 8 or* x0q yno~poes : yB14 4em07 “y1UN uojsuadsns peoupjog sajuno: 48480 poey Bulsues 49)|15-HL £191 4emo | -seeWO}OYd se;OMIEPUN || HAOW “G SI-b ‘O14 Xoq §no-ppas 44611 doy ‘poay Bulsues :18| do, ‘sejewojoyd seyomuapun | YAW “Vy Gi-b “Bld-6l- ‘gi-p Bly IYW - Y3L3WOLOHd YSLVMYSGNN yO4d WVYOVIG LINDYIO BAO! ANI MO7 oe ili 4j0-NO DAS DAOS BAOS wyec oe a gay N3ayuD amaYALSWOLOHd Y3LVMYSZGNN NI SY3LTI4 YO109 4O NOISSINSNVUL ZI-b B14 o00L o00s9 0009 ooss 000s 00Sb oor ev oose T Tala tet Nt oe hota ah qe oo at ALIAILISNAS avaa "P ALIAILISNIS WW3d | 1739 $P9 20619 7739 §PD 20619 oz oe ov os 09 OL os 06 ool So NOISSINSNVULel-p B14 ey a TDW - Y3L3SWOLOHd YSLVYMYSGNN Y¥O4 WVYSVIG LINDYID ores “en . ea 5H II0A Se'| auV SaINaLive bay re) “LNI HOLIMS 379901 Lada @s5 Sirol LJ mor HOLIMS NOILISOd $ ‘310d-b 's “UNE zs y OL 1+ HOIH yoL u ease vis A SOL SOL SOL y me : YaL3W dW SI vee Leateiediiail Ww)- Lo Le | __ 20.28 NaevivWalvnd Nvdiilv avd ALISNSLNI SALLY 138 907 - NOILVYLIN3d LHOIT “6l-e “8l4 1 2 ¢ p § 91860! 2 ¢ bS 9860! 2 € vp $ 94860) [ T Tot TTT gaa TIT TTT T "s4y GbOl ‘say SI11 “sty 0001 ~| aonp1nS "94 OOOZ a2041ns ‘24 OOOP eo0jins ‘94 000Z ~ W ZO! 1HIIIS WIT IHIIIS Wel 1HOITS B96) "2 ATL Bg 61 ATU B96) *Z ATM : ZNOILVLS 8 NOILVLS 7 NolLyls “| a aniao 7 naauo vo 4 qau © \ 80 ov bb zp Ob ae oe ve ze of 82 gz ve Hidad Su3L3Wthe slope of the cm that Th ey may be due to suspended foal origin. At thi 2 stations the chan ae the However, at each station of this series the red component of the surface illumination was reduced by 8 f 10 ate depth of 16 to 18 meters ed in Figure 4-20 The seas nges in Light panetratration are desc ed along the south shore of Lake Atitlén. In duly the tation 9 was 12.2 meters, shallowing s and then increasing to 18.5 meters on of observations, July and h wamber, 1968, ti of the three wav penetration £ lengths were similar. Depth of p decreased slightly, 3 from 12 valleling the decrease in S cehi transpar to 10 meters. However, in each in owed the greatest depth of penetration, t! on Jamuary clearest, as ind the blue component show: n and then observations, Th the green. The red w: approximately the same | | | | i that ended observations would indi ange in water quality, as su: settled out, permitted penetration of the shorter wave particulate materials j Length The clarity of s of Lake Atitléa, while showing distinct seasonal seasonal changes pun-of?, ns thet are related to tl n precipitation one which would be easily ke of unusual and unique trancparency an 4 disturbingly changed by any major introduction of water contain | anounts of sediment or particulate mai c= Lasecenocsou tSVIVWSLYNS NVILILY ayv7 ALISNSLNI SALLY 194 901-NOILVYLINAd LHOITO2-» ‘bid 2 ££ »* § 92860I 2 € b $ 92860! z € bS 92860! T t eee Tr Taal TT TTI By : T TIT 7 7 —T TTT T Too 2” ‘SY OOI) “s4y O£O! 2904198 9'1 000S ~ WEBI IHIIIS WO! 1HDDIS Weel 1HI938 4 °" - 696182 NYT 8961 ‘£1 AON e96l‘b ATM - 6 NO/LVLS 6 NOILYLS 6 NOMS 3n78 0 NBBN9 7 a3u earity with body of water of umusua: seasonel and Local two meters. However, as twer wed. cate both a high a yariations in transparency ind of im d response to changes in the quantity ver diversions into Lake Atit cal materials. The proposed ents and silts plu: nutrient substances thet would transport sed se in transp: piclogical growth. The consequence would68 Chapter 5 Biological Characteristica Introduction ho piologtesl characteristics of Lake Atitlén as deseribed in this chapter are based on net plankton sampling. Ao prevtously noted under the ection on methodology, plankton aamples vere taken with © mumber 12, 9.5 sncn (ghon) plankton not, weighted,and rigged as to allow it to paractute down through 20 meters and be toed up through the same 20 meters, Thus, each vertical tow represented passage through 4O meters of the epilimnetic waters of the lake, Surface plankton toss were also taken by allowing the planicton net, wuroighted, to drift avay from the vessel for 20 meters end then hauling Jt pack through the surface water, but in this case actually flitering only 6 20 eter section, The total collection in each haul was carefully transZerred fron ‘the net into the collecting vial or bottle tieg at the throat and preserved with neutral formalin, Im the anlysis of the material collected in each tow the organism or cell munbers were placed on a comparative quantitative bast vy adjusting all samples to 4 standard volune prior to taking an aliquot for counting, Before taking the sub-semple the volume of the totel blezass collected was determined after settLing gor one nour ina 10 ml graduated cylinder. ‘This is the value reperted for get¢led volume, ALL sanples counted vere ultinately computed to establish celts or organions per Liter based on the totel volume of water calculated es being filtered ty a net toved through 40 meters of water, In the following discussion the biological characteristics of the leke will be anslyzed with reference to the folowing: biowass volumes, the predominate distom and green elga that were present ‘cpa sh ielosire gra sima fo. spiralis and Clos actively), total zooplankton population reported as ores inoflagelle ang the predominate pine yon sp. The repre: of plankto: ristic of several of the net t 8 are shown in Figure 1 examination of A et he zooplankton by Martha G. Roberts is described in chapter 6. The productivity determinations made in July, 1968, using g analyses are based pon collections made in July, 1968, 1969. The total biom se volumes , 1968 and January, plankton tow collected on those dates noted on the Lake At 1én base map at the station locations. Isopleths deseribing Lines of app tely the same volume have been ched (Figs. 5-2, 5-3, 5-4}. Apparent from these three fi stent feature of the p at least in the w meters. The three sampling periods in each instance pri | yolunes whieh w the two bays of the lake (7 stently largest Te was al vent that in addition to the in the | tt eneral trend of increasing volume re was & to southwest, from the direc where the two towards the Bay of San Lucas. The appa indicated by the fact that the western-most corner of the lake # and 3, biomass collections w sdless of 1 The dist ition patti I change related to and alga, Melosira and Glosteriopsis, ib was evident +! y, 1968, Melosina, in any sample, was found at 6 per liter than Closteriopsis wPigures for thie chapter follow end of chapter.Grose Seasonal and Local Changes in Plankton haracteristics of Lake Atitién ical Net Tow gebtled Volume(ml) - 20M Average of Stations Indicated | \ |a T/suspuRBAO yy T/ou Tree oe oH oe Oe OMe SST oOo Sat S95 o'fot—oreg peony weg Fo fe ut og ot oz Sth SG oo Sst St orhe O'ZT OEE oBeraeg 50 fea 70 ve St Oey TT 60° GG ath elt gt SUORgBIS exe Ta 6, "wep gg, “AoN'g9, “AIP «9, *wEP AD, “AoNaG, Aimy = GO wep ES, “ogo, “Atmr BS. “wer Gg, “AoN'gg, "ATHE xO MOTION sTORTGOTTT PRMD TOR ted tequmy sBexeay SmoL TSOTEZEA NOE WTI sxe Jo uOWMETE paqstes UL seBuEY) TRIO] PUR TeuOSGEg 2-5 eTaeE| | | EE a ratio went te nearly 40 tel. In (pigare 5-5). Tn the Bay of Santiago rovenber, 1968, following the end of the rainy season, the numbers of Melosira increased slightly on the average, but Glosteriopsis increased dramatically, ana in one location the mumbers of Closteriopsis (cells/1) exceeded by factors of at least 2 to 3 the mmbers of Melosira. ‘The one exception was in the Bay of Santiago, where the relationship of Melosira to Closteriopais remained as pofore, the former being present in greater number than the latter (Figure 5-6). Thais vas en interesting circumstance, considering that the remainder of the Inke continued to be showed the reverse relationship. By January of 1969, Melosi collected st mumbers which were approximately the sane as in Noyenber, possitly slightly higher, but there was @ dramatic disappearance from the plankton popula- tion of Closteriopsis, with very few cells being reported in any of the collec- -T) The changing population of all zooplankton and the dinoflagellste Dinobryon tions (Figure is described in Figures 5-8 to 5-10. Due te the mich larger body mass of indivi- ‘to numbers mut quel zooplankton, their mumerical value as organisms per liter however, a3 that are in some instances fractional units. The seasonsi changes, previously described for the ‘xo species of phytoplankton, are similarly seen for for both zooplankton as well tthe gooplanton, Peak rumbers occured in Novert smallest collections in the Jenuary sampling. as Dinobryon, decreasing to th In these three sampling periods, there appeared to be no distinct spatial Gistribution pattern cf the sooplanikton, except the higher numbers inevitably present in the two bays. This might be expected as the cooplankton would be wibed for these two grazing on the richer crop of phytoplankton previously aes locations. The dinoflagellate Dizobryon, in contrast, in duly of 1968, tenaed to show higher numbers to the west end of the lake, a pattern which was repested