Answer :
Final answer:
The temperature at the bottom of a lake in the winter is likely greater than 1 degree Celsius, generally around 4 degrees Celsius, due to the unique properties of water density at lower temperatures which allows life to persist under the ice covering.
Explanation:
If the surface temperature of a lake in the winter season is 1 degree Celsius, the temperature at the bottom of the lake will most likely be (option D) greater than 1 degree Celsius. This phenomenon occurs because water is most dense, and thus sinks to the bottom, at a temperature of approximately 4 degrees Celsius. During winter, especially in more frigid climates, the bottom water can stay at nearly 4°C. While the surface of the lake may freeze, forming a layer of ice, the densest water at about 4°C sinks and remains at the bottom, providing an environment where lake organisms can survive the cold season.
The stratification of water temperatures is crucial to the aquatic ecosystem. The water's density, which peaks at around 4°C, plays a pivotal role in maintaining a liquid habitat at the bottom, despite the cold temperatures on the surface. Therefore, the deepest and densest layer of water in the lake remains insulated from the freezing temperatures above and does not reach 0°C, enabling the survival of aquatic life throughout the winter season.
