Epilimnion

/ˌɛpɪˈlɪmniɑn/ noun

Definition

The warm, light-penetrated surface layer of a stratified lake that is separated from deeper layers by a thermocline.

Etymology

From Greek 'epi-' (upon) + 'limne' (lake) + '-ion' (noun suffix), established as a scientific term in early 1900s limnology.

Kelly Says

The epilimnion is where all the action happens in a lake—it's warm, it has sunlight, oxygen, and most fish prefer living here, but it's also where algae blooms happen when there's too much pollution!

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