The utilization of membrane treatment for the production of potable water has become more prevalent in today's industry. As drinking water regulations become more stringent this trend is expected to continue. Widespread use is also a result of membrane treatment being the best available treatment in many cases. While membrane treatment is a proven technology that can produce a consistently superior product to conventional treatment methods, membrane fouling and concentrate disposal are issues that drive up the cost of membrane treatment and can effectively eliminate it from consideration as a treatment alternative. This research focused on membrane fouling. A series of filtration experiments were conducted on various membranes to investigate the physical and chemical factors that influence fouling. The effects of both organic and colloidal fouling were explored by conducting research on various commercial membranes and experimental membranes by Saehan Industries, Inc. (Saehan). Saehan's membranes were in various stages of development in their process of creating a more fouling resistant membrane (FRM). Various hydrodynamic and chemical conditions were used to characterize the evolution of the Saehan commercial products to the experimental FRMs. The developmental stage of the membrane tested included analysis of the various trade secret coating techniques termed single, double, and special. A proprietary post-treatment process was also utilized in combination with each of the coating techniques. The developmental membranes were also compared to commercially available FRMs. The existing FRMs showed better fouling resistance than Saehan's commercially available products in high organic surficial groundwater testing. Synthetic colloidal water testing demonstrated the superior performance of the FRMs, but was not acute enough to differentiate the fouling performance within the group of FRMs or Saehan products. Average roughness decreased slightly as coating technique progressed from single to double to special. Post-treatment increased roughness in single coated membranes and reduced the roughness in double and special coated membranes. The relative charge differences in the developmental membranes were exhibited among non post-treated membranes. Post-treatment membranes did not demonstrate relative surface charge differences consistent with the manufacturer. Initial mass transfer coefficient, determined by clean water testing, increased as coating moved from single to double to special. Clean water testing showed increased initial mass transfer coefficient for membranes with post-treatment. Single coated membranes showed the best salt rejection capability among non post-treated membranes. Post-treatment increased selectivity for all membrane coating techniques. The coating effect on fouling potential had an inverse relationship between single coated versus double and special coated membranes. The post-treatment increased fouling resistance for the single coated membranes, but decreased fouling resistance of double and special coated membranes. The SN7 membranes showed the best performance of the developmental membranes.

No description available.

Surface water-groundwater interaction can provide various stream functions including temperature regulation, nutrient cycling, pollutant attenuation, and habitat creation. However previous literature is divided on the extent and conditions of these benefits. This dissertation has explored the dominance of hydraulic conductivity (K) on hyporheic hydraulics and implications to hyporheic zone functions through a series of modeling studies and field experiments. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software was used to model the effect of varying K on weir-induced hyporheic exchange hydraulics and heat transport. Fundamental shifts in hydraulics and temperature dynamics occurred at threshold K's. Surface water began noticeably sinking into the bed above a threshold of K=10-3 m/s and inertial forces caused deviation from Darcy's Law. The heat transport model indicated net downstream surface water cooling from weir-induced exchange was maximized by maximizing K (flow-limited function) and thermal heterogeneity increased with K, particularly above K=10-5 m/s. Results suggest that using CFD to predict surface water-groundwater interaction may be important to accurately predict hyporheic hydraulics and functions dependent on flow-rate or residence time. The importance of macropores to hyporheic transport through meander bends was explored. Transport velocities, hydraulic head gradients, and solute transport rates through the meander bend were increased by macropores. Results indicate that macropores can dictate solute or pollutant transport through meander bends and in the hyporheic zone, which in turn may influence biogeochemical cycling and pollutant attenuation. Surface-connected macropores along streams were studied as hydrologically important subsurface heterogeneities for surface water-groundwater interaction. Macropores were common geomorphic features in the Appalachian province of southwestern Virginia, and were inundated during storm events over a one-year period. Banks with macropores experienced increased hydraulic head fluctuations, temperature fluctuations, and K. Macropores increased bank storage rates and solute transport between the channel and riparian groundwater zones, which in turn may influence biogeochemical cycling, pollutant attenuation, and hyporheic habitat. Macropores may be important to hyporheic flow and solute transport in a wide range of conditions and may broaden the portion of the landscape in which hyporheic exchange is important. Future work is needed to further assess the impacts of macropores on hyporheic functions and explore new methods to map and quantify macropore geometries and inter-connectivity. / Ph. D.

The San Joaquin Valley is part of the Great Central Valley of California, a major agricultural centre and food supplier for the United States. This area has significant water management concerns given the very high water demand for an increasing state population and for intense irrigation in a hot, temperate to semi-arid climate where the overall rate of evapotranspiration (ET) is high, and the overall rate of precipitation is low. Irrigation heavily relies upon groundwater and surface water extractions. Through the historical and current concerns of regional water resources reliability, land surface subsidence, water quality issues, and the health of ecosystems, a need for regional-scale water resource management and planning has developed. The physically-based surface-subsurface HydroGeoSphere (HGS) model is used to examine the regional-scale hydrologic budget of a large portion of the San Joaquin Valley. The objective of this investigation is to develop a steady-state groundwater-surface water model of the San Joaquin Valley representative of predevelopment hydrologic conditions. The groundwater-surface water system has undergone drastic changes since the employment of groundwater and surface water extractions for irrigation and mining, and is still responding to past and present stresses. The only certain stable initial condition must therefore be that of the natural system. The model input parameters were constrained by all relevant available hydrologic data. The model was not calibrated to subsurface hydraulic heads or river flows. However, the model does provide a fair match between simulated and actual estimated water table elevations. Historic river flow estimates were not used to calibrate the model, because data consistent with that collected by Hall (1886) and representative of the natural system were not available. For this investigation, water enters through precipitation and the inflow of major rivers only. The subsurface domain is bounded by no-flow boundaries, and groundwater is therefore only able to exit the subsurface through discharge to surface water features or through ET. Surface water is only able to exit the model through discharge via the San Joaquin River and through ET. Average river inflows circa 1878 to 1884 documented by Hall (1886) were applied where the rivers enter into the valley. The spatially variable average rate of precipitation (years 1971 to 2000) from a PRISM dataset was applied to the top of the model. The spatially variable long term average potential ET rates from the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) et al. (1999) were applied to the top of the model. Averaged overland flow parameters and vegetation factors needed to calculate actual ET were specified at the top of the model based on literature values and the 1874 spatial distribution of natural vegetation provided by California State University at Chico et al. (2003). Hydrogeological data including hydraulic conductivities, porosities, specific storage, and unsaturated zone properties are based on literature values from other relevant studies. The resulting steady state model is therefore characterized by historical long term average data assumed to be representative (as close as possible) of the flow system circa 1848. Results indicate that the natural hydrologic setting of the San Joaquin Valley is a complex one. Complex hydrologic processes, including significant groundwater-surface water interaction along the major rivers and within wetland areas formed by flooded surface water, as well as ET and impacted root zone processes were identified in the model domain. Identification and simulation of the complex recharge and discharge relationships in the model domain sheds insight into the hydrologic nature of some historic natural wetlands. Evapotranspiration is a very significant sink of both surface water and groundwater (44.8 % of the water balance input), and has a major impact on hydrologic processes in the root zone. The presence and path of the major rivers in the domain are well defined in the model output and agree well with their actual locations. The model simulates gaining and losing reaches of the major rivers, replicating the historic recharge-discharge relationship documented by others. The general location, formation, and hydrologic processes of some significant wetlands simulated by the model have a fair agreement with historical records. As mentioned above, there is also a fair match between simulated and actual estimated water table elevations. Successful simulation of the complex hydrologic processes and features that characterize the predevelopment hydrologic conditions of the San Joaquin Valley and that resolve the water balance of the natural system underscores the importance and necessity of using an integrated model. This steady state model should serve as a reasonable initial condition for future transient runs that bring the model up to current hydrologic conditions capable of estimating present and future water budgets.

The San Joaquin Valley is part of the Great Central Valley of California, a major agricultural centre and food supplier for the United States. This area has significant water management concerns given the very high water demand for an increasing state population and for intense irrigation in a hot, temperate to semi-arid climate where the overall rate of evapotranspiration (ET) is high, and the overall rate of precipitation is low. Irrigation heavily relies upon groundwater and surface water extractions. Through the historical and current concerns of regional water resources reliability, land surface subsidence, water quality issues, and the health of ecosystems, a need for regional-scale water resource management and planning has developed. The physically-based surface-subsurface HydroGeoSphere (HGS) model is used to examine the regional-scale hydrologic budget of a large portion of the San Joaquin Valley. The objective of this investigation is to develop a steady-state groundwater-surface water model of the San Joaquin Valley representative of predevelopment hydrologic conditions. The groundwater-surface water system has undergone drastic changes since the employment of groundwater and surface water extractions for irrigation and mining, and is still responding to past and present stresses. The only certain stable initial condition must therefore be that of the natural system. The model input parameters were constrained by all relevant available hydrologic data. The model was not calibrated to subsurface hydraulic heads or river flows. However, the model does provide a fair match between simulated and actual estimated water table elevations. Historic river flow estimates were not used to calibrate the model, because data consistent with that collected by Hall (1886) and representative of the natural system were not available. For this investigation, water enters through precipitation and the inflow of major rivers only. The subsurface domain is bounded by no-flow boundaries, and groundwater is therefore only able to exit the subsurface through discharge to surface water features or through ET. Surface water is only able to exit the model through discharge via the San Joaquin River and through ET. Average river inflows circa 1878 to 1884 documented by Hall (1886) were applied where the rivers enter into the valley. The spatially variable average rate of precipitation (years 1971 to 2000) from a PRISM dataset was applied to the top of the model. The spatially variable long term average potential ET rates from the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) et al. (1999) were applied to the top of the model. Averaged overland flow parameters and vegetation factors needed to calculate actual ET were specified at the top of the model based on literature values and the 1874 spatial distribution of natural vegetation provided by California State University at Chico et al. (2003). Hydrogeological data including hydraulic conductivities, porosities, specific storage, and unsaturated zone properties are based on literature values from other relevant studies. The resulting steady state model is therefore characterized by historical long term average data assumed to be representative (as close as possible) of the flow system circa 1848. Results indicate that the natural hydrologic setting of the San Joaquin Valley is a complex one. Complex hydrologic processes, including significant groundwater-surface water interaction along the major rivers and within wetland areas formed by flooded surface water, as well as ET and impacted root zone processes were identified in the model domain. Identification and simulation of the complex recharge and discharge relationships in the model domain sheds insight into the hydrologic nature of some historic natural wetlands. Evapotranspiration is a very significant sink of both surface water and groundwater (44.8 % of the water balance input), and has a major impact on hydrologic processes in the root zone. The presence and path of the major rivers in the domain are well defined in the model output and agree well with their actual locations. The model simulates gaining and losing reaches of the major rivers, replicating the historic recharge-discharge relationship documented by others. The general location, formation, and hydrologic processes of some significant wetlands simulated by the model have a fair agreement with historical records. As mentioned above, there is also a fair match between simulated and actual estimated water table elevations. Successful simulation of the complex hydrologic processes and features that characterize the predevelopment hydrologic conditions of the San Joaquin Valley and that resolve the water balance of the natural system underscores the importance and necessity of using an integrated model. This steady state model should serve as a reasonable initial condition for future transient runs that bring the model up to current hydrologic conditions capable of estimating present and future water budgets.

One of the most essential resources for life on our planet is water. A concern for water resource sustainability has shifted towards the sustainable development of clean water body resource (SWDF, 2009). Data for the Vaal River water chemistry is in abundance. However, research on the historic natural conditions influencing the inorganic water quality, is not as extensive. Inorganic data was obtained from the Department of Water Affairs, for the period 1972 to 2011, for identified monitoring stations along the Vaal River. Water quality was evaluated using various geochemical techniques to analyse the data. The results of the study indicate that the water chemistry of the Vaal River is controlled by: 1. Chemical weathering of siliceous sediment, intrusive igneous rocks and metamorphic rocks (Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+ and (HCO3)-). 2. Anthropogenic influences increasing the sulphate (SO4) concentration There is no major increase in ion concentrations for the stations. However the concentrations of bicarbonate (HCO3)- and SO4 change as it progresses downstream from the first upstream station to the last downstream station. Based on the chemical characterisation, three groups have been identified. (1) Group 1 stations appear to suggest a higher influence in chemical weathering than the group 2 stations. (2) Group 2 stations appear to suggest a greater influence from SO4. (3) Group 3 stations appear to suggest an influence from both the bicarbonate and the SO4 influences. Geographically the chemical weathering is an indication of the three different groups with strong anthropogenic influences in the middle group. The water chemistry for the Vaal River is controlled by two processes, namely chemical weathering and anthropogenic influences. The prominent indication of the difference in these two influences can be seen between group 1 and group 2. A secondary conclusion indicates that a total dissolved solid (TDS) alone is not an accurate representation of anthropogenic influence (or poor water quality) on inorganic water quality of the Vaal River. The natural weathering or geological influences appears to play a more dominant role in certain sections or catchments with lower contributions from anthropogenic influences. / MSc (Environmental Sciences), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

The main aim of the study was to analyse the impact of physico-chemical parameters on drinking water quality, biofilm formation and antibiotic resistant bacteria in the drinking water distribution system in Mafikeng, North West Province, South Africa. Another objective was to isolate and characterise Pseudomonas and Aeromonas species from drinking water distribution system and detect the virulence gene determinants in the isolates by PCR analysis. The physico-chemical data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis using Excel 2007 (Microsoft) and SPSS (version 14.0) programmes. Pearson’s correlation product of the moment was used to determine the correlation between EC, TDS, pH and temperature. The two tailed test of significance (p<0.05) was used in order to determine the significance of the result. Antibiotic susceptibility tests were performed using Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Cluster analysis based on the antibiotic inhibition zone diameter data of different organisms isolated from different sites was determined and was expressed as dendograms using Wards algorithm and Euclidean distance of Statistica version 7. Specific PCR was used to determine the identities of presumptive Pseudomonas and Aeromonas species through amplification of the gyrB, toxA and the ecfX gene fragments. Virulence gene determinants for the confirmed Pseudomonas and Aeromonas species were detected by amplifying the exoA, exoS and exoT genes and the aerA and hylH gene fragments, respectively. A Gene Genius Bio imaging system (Syngene, Synoptics; UK) was used to capture the image using GeneSnap (version 3.07.01) software (Syngene, Synoptics; UK) to determine the relative size of amplicons. Physico-chemical parameters were monitored from three drinking water sources three times a week and bacteriological quality was monitored weekly for four months from raw and treated drinking water. Water samples were analysed for pH, temperature, total dissolved solids (TDS) and electric conductivity (EC). Bacterial consortia from drinking water samples were isolated using selective media and enumerated. The results revealed a good chemical quality of water. However, the microbial quality of the water is not acceptable for human consumption due to the presence of Pseudomonas, Aeromonas, faecal coliforms (FC), total coliforms (TC) and Heterotrophic bacteria. The results showed that the drinking water is slightly alkaline with pH value ranging between7.7 to 8.32. What is of concern was the microbial quality of the water. Pseudomonas sp., faecal coliforms (FC), total coliforms (TC) and heterotrophic bacteria were present in some of the treated water samples. The most significant finding of this study is that all drinking water samples were positive for Pseudomonas sp.(>100/100ml), but also that when one considers the TDS it demonstrates that water from the Modimola Dam has an impact on the quality of the mixed water. The prevalence and antibiotic resistance profiles of planktonic and biofilm bacteria isolated from drinking water were determined. The susceptibility of these isolates was tested against 11 antibiotics of clinical interest and the multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) patterns were compiled. The most prevalent antibiotic resistance phenotype observed was KF-AP-C-E-OT-K-TM-A. All isolates from all samples were susceptible to ciprofloxacin. However, all faecal coliforms and Pseudomonas spp. were susceptible to neomycin and streptomycin. On the contrary all organisms tested were resistant to erythromycin (100%) trimethoprim and amoxycillin. Cluster analysis based on inhibition zone diameter data could not differentiate the various isolated into sample types. The highest prevalence of antibiotic resistant isolates was observed in Modimola Dam and Molopo eye. Biofilms were investigated in both raw water and treated drinking water sources for the presence of faecal coliforms, total coliforms, Pseudomonas spp., Aeromonas spp. and heterotrophic bacteria based on conventional microbiology and molecular methods. Drinking water biofilms were grown twice and the biofilm developing device containing copper and galvanized steel coupons were utilized. The Mini Tap filter, a home water treatment device which can be used at a single faucet, under constant flow was used during the second collection of treated water samples from cold water taps. Scanning electron micrograph revealed the existence of biofilms in all the sites investigated and the highest density was obtained on galvanized steel coupons. Isolates were tested against the antibiotics ampicillin (10μg), cephalothin (5μg), streptomycin (10μg), erythromycin (15μg), chloramphenicol (30μg), neomycin (30 μg), amoxycillin (10 μg), ciprofloxacin (5 μg), trimethoprim (25μg), kanamycin (30μg), and oxytetracycline (30μg). The multiple antibiotic resistance profiles and the presence of virulence related genes were determined. Various types of drug resistance and presence of virulence genes were observed. The most prevalent resistance phenotype observed was KF-AP-C-E-OT-TM-A. In conclusion, the results indicated the occurrence of faecal indicator bacteria in the drinking water destined for human consumption. Faecal indicator bacteria are the major contributors of poor drinking water quality and may harbour opportunistic pathogens. This highlighted survival of organisms to treatment procedures and the possible regrowth as biofilms in plumbing materials. The detection of large proportion of MAR Aeromonas and Pseudomonas species which possessed virulent genes was a cause of concern as these could pose health risks to humans. The data obtained herein may be useful in assessing the health risks associated with the consumption of contaminated water. / PhD (Microbiology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

One of the most essential resources for life on our planet is water. A concern for water resource sustainability has shifted towards the sustainable development of clean water body resource (SWDF, 2009). Data for the Vaal River water chemistry is in abundance. However, research on the historic natural conditions influencing the inorganic water quality, is not as extensive. Inorganic data was obtained from the Department of Water Affairs, for the period 1972 to 2011, for identified monitoring stations along the Vaal River. Water quality was evaluated using various geochemical techniques to analyse the data. The results of the study indicate that the water chemistry of the Vaal River is controlled by: 1. Chemical weathering of siliceous sediment, intrusive igneous rocks and metamorphic rocks (Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+ and (HCO3)-). 2. Anthropogenic influences increasing the sulphate (SO4) concentration There is no major increase in ion concentrations for the stations. However the concentrations of bicarbonate (HCO3)- and SO4 change as it progresses downstream from the first upstream station to the last downstream station. Based on the chemical characterisation, three groups have been identified. (1) Group 1 stations appear to suggest a higher influence in chemical weathering than the group 2 stations. (2) Group 2 stations appear to suggest a greater influence from SO4. (3) Group 3 stations appear to suggest an influence from both the bicarbonate and the SO4 influences. Geographically the chemical weathering is an indication of the three different groups with strong anthropogenic influences in the middle group. The water chemistry for the Vaal River is controlled by two processes, namely chemical weathering and anthropogenic influences. The prominent indication of the difference in these two influences can be seen between group 1 and group 2. A secondary conclusion indicates that a total dissolved solid (TDS) alone is not an accurate representation of anthropogenic influence (or poor water quality) on inorganic water quality of the Vaal River. The natural weathering or geological influences appears to play a more dominant role in certain sections or catchments with lower contributions from anthropogenic influences. / MSc (Environmental Sciences), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

The main aim of the study was to analyse the impact of physico-chemical parameters on drinking water quality, biofilm formation and antibiotic resistant bacteria in the drinking water distribution system in Mafikeng, North West Province, South Africa. Another objective was to isolate and characterise Pseudomonas and Aeromonas species from drinking water distribution system and detect the virulence gene determinants in the isolates by PCR analysis. The physico-chemical data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis using Excel 2007 (Microsoft) and SPSS (version 14.0) programmes. Pearson’s correlation product of the moment was used to determine the correlation between EC, TDS, pH and temperature. The two tailed test of significance (p<0.05) was used in order to determine the significance of the result. Antibiotic susceptibility tests were performed using Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Cluster analysis based on the antibiotic inhibition zone diameter data of different organisms isolated from different sites was determined and was expressed as dendograms using Wards algorithm and Euclidean distance of Statistica version 7. Specific PCR was used to determine the identities of presumptive Pseudomonas and Aeromonas species through amplification of the gyrB, toxA and the ecfX gene fragments. Virulence gene determinants for the confirmed Pseudomonas and Aeromonas species were detected by amplifying the exoA, exoS and exoT genes and the aerA and hylH gene fragments, respectively. A Gene Genius Bio imaging system (Syngene, Synoptics; UK) was used to capture the image using GeneSnap (version 3.07.01) software (Syngene, Synoptics; UK) to determine the relative size of amplicons. Physico-chemical parameters were monitored from three drinking water sources three times a week and bacteriological quality was monitored weekly for four months from raw and treated drinking water. Water samples were analysed for pH, temperature, total dissolved solids (TDS) and electric conductivity (EC). Bacterial consortia from drinking water samples were isolated using selective media and enumerated. The results revealed a good chemical quality of water. However, the microbial quality of the water is not acceptable for human consumption due to the presence of Pseudomonas, Aeromonas, faecal coliforms (FC), total coliforms (TC) and Heterotrophic bacteria. The results showed that the drinking water is slightly alkaline with pH value ranging between7.7 to 8.32. What is of concern was the microbial quality of the water. Pseudomonas sp., faecal coliforms (FC), total coliforms (TC) and heterotrophic bacteria were present in some of the treated water samples. The most significant finding of this study is that all drinking water samples were positive for Pseudomonas sp.(>100/100ml), but also that when one considers the TDS it demonstrates that water from the Modimola Dam has an impact on the quality of the mixed water. The prevalence and antibiotic resistance profiles of planktonic and biofilm bacteria isolated from drinking water were determined. The susceptibility of these isolates was tested against 11 antibiotics of clinical interest and the multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) patterns were compiled. The most prevalent antibiotic resistance phenotype observed was KF-AP-C-E-OT-K-TM-A. All isolates from all samples were susceptible to ciprofloxacin. However, all faecal coliforms and Pseudomonas spp. were susceptible to neomycin and streptomycin. On the contrary all organisms tested were resistant to erythromycin (100%) trimethoprim and amoxycillin. Cluster analysis based on inhibition zone diameter data could not differentiate the various isolated into sample types. The highest prevalence of antibiotic resistant isolates was observed in Modimola Dam and Molopo eye. Biofilms were investigated in both raw water and treated drinking water sources for the presence of faecal coliforms, total coliforms, Pseudomonas spp., Aeromonas spp. and heterotrophic bacteria based on conventional microbiology and molecular methods. Drinking water biofilms were grown twice and the biofilm developing device containing copper and galvanized steel coupons were utilized. The Mini Tap filter, a home water treatment device which can be used at a single faucet, under constant flow was used during the second collection of treated water samples from cold water taps. Scanning electron micrograph revealed the existence of biofilms in all the sites investigated and the highest density was obtained on galvanized steel coupons. Isolates were tested against the antibiotics ampicillin (10μg), cephalothin (5μg), streptomycin (10μg), erythromycin (15μg), chloramphenicol (30μg), neomycin (30 μg), amoxycillin (10 μg), ciprofloxacin (5 μg), trimethoprim (25μg), kanamycin (30μg), and oxytetracycline (30μg). The multiple antibiotic resistance profiles and the presence of virulence related genes were determined. Various types of drug resistance and presence of virulence genes were observed. The most prevalent resistance phenotype observed was KF-AP-C-E-OT-TM-A. In conclusion, the results indicated the occurrence of faecal indicator bacteria in the drinking water destined for human consumption. Faecal indicator bacteria are the major contributors of poor drinking water quality and may harbour opportunistic pathogens. This highlighted survival of organisms to treatment procedures and the possible regrowth as biofilms in plumbing materials. The detection of large proportion of MAR Aeromonas and Pseudomonas species which possessed virulent genes was a cause of concern as these could pose health risks to humans. The data obtained herein may be useful in assessing the health risks associated with the consumption of contaminated water. / PhD (Microbiology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Lake surface water temperatures (LSWTs) of 246 globally distributed large lakes were derived from Along-Track Scanning Radiometers (ATSR) for the period 1991 to 2011. These LSWTs, derived in a systematic manner, presents an ideal opportunity to study LSWT behaviour on a global scale. In this thesis, the annual cycles of lake-mean LSWTs derived from these data quantify the responses of large lakes’ surface temperatures to the annual cycle of forcing by solar radiation and the ambient air temperature. Minimum monthly net surface solar irradiance (netSSI) strongly influences minimum LSWTs of non-seasonally ice covered lakes (where lake-mean LSWT remains above 1 ºC throughout the annual cycle), explaining > 0.88 (R2 adj) of the inter-lake variation in both hemispheres. In some regions, for seasonally ice covered lakes (where lake-mean LSWT remains below 1 ºC for part of the annual cycle) the minimum monthly netSSI is a better predictor than latitude, of the length of the frozen period, which shows the importance of local cloud climatological conditions. Additionally, at lake locations between 1º S to 12º N, the netSSI, shown to peak twice annually, is reflected in the LSWT annual cycle. The summer maximum LSWTs of lakes from 25º S to 35º N show a linear decrease with increasing altitude; -3.76 + 0.17 ºC km-1 (R2 adj = 0.95), marginally lower than the corresponding air temperature -4.15 + 0.24 ºC km-1 (R2 adj = 0.95) decrease with altitude. The start and end of the period where the lake-mean LSWT is greater than 4 ºC shows strong correlation with the spring and autumn 0 ºC air temperature crossing days, (R2 adj = 0.74 and 0.80 respectively). The temporally and spatially resolved LSWT observations allows for a greater practical understanding of LSWT behaviour of large lakes. For example, lakes with a greater LSWT annual range have more observed variability in the LSWT extremes, highlighting that they may be more responsive to changes in the climate than lakes with a low annual range. The nighttime LSWT trends show stronger warming than day-night trends in the all regions, except Europe. The lake centre LSWT trends and absolute values can be generally considered representative of the lake-mean LSWT trends and absolute values. The observed LSWT time series are used to tune a 1-dimensional thermodynamic lake model, FLake. By tuning FLake using only 3 basic lake properties, shown by myself to have the most influence over LSWTs (depth, snow and ice albedo and light extinction co-efficient), the daily mean absolute differences for 244 lakes is reduced from 3.38 + 2.74 ºC (untuned model) to 0.85 + 0.61 ºC (tuned model). The effect of wind speed, lake depth, albedo and light extinction co-efficient on LSWTs is demonstrated throughout the tuning process. The modelled summer LSWT response to changes in ice-off is strongly affected by lake depth and latitude explaining 0.50 (R2 adj, p = 0.001) of the inter-lake variation in summer LSWTs. Lake depth alone explains 0.35 (p = 0.003) of the variation, highlighting the sensitivity of the summer LSWTs of deeper lakes to changes in the ice-off. Statistically significant summer/ maximum month modelled LSWT trends, from 1979-2011 are presented for lakes where the modelled LSWTs are strongly supported by observed LSWTs over the period of available observed LSWTs. For these lakes, the trends show LSWT warming of between 0.73 – 2.10 ºC for 29 lakes in northern temperate regions over the 33 year period (1979 – 2011). The modelled regional trends of all lakes over the same period show least warming in Africa of 0.30 ºC and the greatest warming in Europe, 1.35 º.