Destratification is the mixing of lake water by compressed air to prevent layers of different __________ from developing.

Destratification refers to the process used to mix water layers in a stratified body of water, such as a lake, to prevent the formation of distinct temperature layers known as thermoclines. When water bodies stratify, warmer, less dense water tends to sit on top of cooler, denser water, creating layers that can limit the mixing of oxygen and nutrients throughout the entire water column. By introducing compressed air to the water, destratification reduces the temperature differences between these layers, allowing for more uniform temperatures throughout the lake.

While pollutants, chemicals, and nutrients are also important factors in water quality, destratification primarily addresses temperature differences that can affect the overall health of the aquatic ecosystem. When temperature layers form, it can lead to problems like oxygen depletion in the lower layers, which ultimately affects both the biological and chemical processes within the lake. Thus, the correct answer highlights the importance of temperature in maintaining the health and balance of lake ecosystems through the destratification process.