Paddy herbicide inputs in the entire river inflow reaching Lake Biwa, Japan

This study estimated the inputs of four paddy herbicides in the entire river inflow reaching Lake Biwa, the largest lake in Japan, which serves as a water resource for 14 million people. The Uso River and the Hino River, the main contaminated rivers among the inflow rivers, were selected as daily and hourly monitoring sites to provide data on the seasonal trends in the concentration and load of herbicides and to determine the effect of rainfall events on load. The monitoring was also performed four times in 15 inflow rivers. The total input to the lake was calculated from the loads during fine weather conditions and additional loads during rainfall events. The former based on the lumped load from the two rivers and by prorating for the 15 rivers, and the latter was estimated from the relation between precipitation and increased load rate. The annual losses of herbicide from the basin to Lake Biwa were estimated to be 14.5% for bromobutide, 3.0% for pretilachlor, 5.2% for molinate, and 8.8% for simetryn. The loads caused by rainfall events accounted for 9%–18% of the total annual loads.     

A dynamic model for flow and wind driven sediment resuspension in a shallow basin

A model is presented, which describes the daily variations in suspended particulate inorganic matter (SPIM) in a large (61 km²), shallow (mean depth 3.4 m) wind-exposed lake basin at the western end of Lake Mälaren, Sweden. Field studies have shown that wind speed and river inflow are the two major factors leading to changes in SPIM. Wind speed and beam attenuation were measured at high (10 min) frequency, while river inflow were monitored at daily frequency to develop the model. From these field measurements, model-coefficients were determined for the SPIM transport, settling and resuspension. Large-scale variations in SPIM lasting many weeks could be explained by events of high river inflow with a correspondingly high particle load. The threshold for river transported SPIM to have effect on lake concentration was 150 m³ s^–1, while wind induced resuspended SPIM was related to the square root of wind speed.     

Synergistic changes in river-lake runoff systems in the Yangtze River basin and their driving force differences

Climate change and human activities simultaneously alter river–lake relationships. Determining the dynamics of river–lake runoff systems on multiple time scales and their differences in response to driving forces can provide insights into hydrological processes and water resource management. This study investigates the synergistic evolution of river–lake runoff systems in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River basin (MLYR) using the cross-wavelet transform method. The effects of different driving force changes on river–lake runoff regimes are quantified based on the Budyko hypothesis, and an InVEST model is developed to assess the spatial and temporal patterns of habitat quality. The results indicate that during the variation period, the runoff distributions of the Yangtze River–Dongting Lake and Yangtze River–-Poyang Lake runoff systems are both skewed towards lower values in the flood seasons compared with those in the base period. The storage of lakes mitigates the extent of human disturbance to the mainstream hydrological regime, particularly under extremely low conditions. From 1960 to 2021, five significant resonance periods are indicated in the river–lake runoff system, and the phase–angle relationships indicate a positive phase coupling between the lake and mainstream hydrological regimes, with the lake lagging behind the mainstream; however, this interaction tends to weaken. In the mainstream and Dongting Lake basins, subsurface conditions are the dominant factor contributing to runoff variability, with contributions ranging from 50.9% to 72.6%; in the Poyang Lake basin, precipitation is the dominant factor, with a contribution of 50.6%; and in the Han River basin, changes in the potential evapotranspiration contribute to 50.6% of runoff variability. The proportion of high habitat quality in the MLYR is approximately 52%, the Dongting and Poyang Lake basins indicate a high habitat quality rating. However, frequent human activity is the main reason of conversion from higher habitats to lower ones, which may result in wetland habitat degradation.     

Chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) absorption characteristics in relation to fluorescence in Lake Taihu,China, a large shallow subtropical lake

Absorption measurements from chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) and their relationships with dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and fluorescence were studied in Lake Taihu, a large, shallow, subtropical lake in China. Absorption spectra of lake water samples were measured from 240 nm to 800 nm. Highest values of a(λ), DOC and F _n (355) occurred near the river inflow to Meiliang Bay and decreased towards the central lake basin. A significant spatial difference was found between Meiliang Bay and the central lake basin in absorption coefficient, DOC-specific absorption coefficient, exponential slope coefficient, DOC concentration and fluorescence value. The spatial distribution of CDOM suggested that a major part of CDOM in the lake was from river input. CDOM absorption coefficients were correlated with DOC over the wavelength range 280–500 nm, and a(355) was also correlated with F _n (355), which showed that CDOM absorption could be inferred from DOC and fluorescence measurement. The coefficient of variation between a(λ) and DOC concentration decreased with increase in wavelength from 240 nm to 800 nm. Furthermore, a significant negative linear relationship was recorded between S value and CDOM absorption coefficient, as well as DOC-specific absorption coefficient. S value and DOC-specific absorption coefficient were used as a proxy for CDOM composition and source. Accurate CDOM absorption measurements are very useful in explaining UV attenuation and in developing, validating remote sensing model of water quality in Lake Taihu.     

Spatial and Temporal Relations between Fluvial and Allacustrine Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout, Oncorhynchus clarki bouvieri, Spawning in the Yellowstone River, Outlet Stream of Yellowstone Lake

Yellowstone cutthroat trout (YCT), Oncorhynchus clarki bouvieri, that spawn in the outlet of Yellowstone Lake show two potamodromous migration patterns, fluvial and allacustrine. The main purpose of this study was to determine whether those fluvial and allacustrine YCT represent reproductively isolated stocks. Redd surveys indicated spawning occurred during about 5 consecutive weeks between late May and mid-July 1993–1995. Lake fish (N=6), defined as radiotagged YCT that entered Yellowstone Lake after the spawning period (i.e. allacustrine pattern), were found in the river between the lake outlet (river kilometer [Rkm] 0) and Rkm 20.0 during spawning. Probable lake fish (N=28; tagged YCT that were last detected near the lake outlet) were found between Rkm 0 and Rkm 22.5 during spawning. River fish (N=4; tagged YCT that remained in the river when annual tracking concluded in fall, i.e. fluvial pattern) were found between Rkm 1.1 and Rkm 18.0 during spawning. Fidelity to spawning areas used between consecutive years was suggested by one of five lake fish and the single river fish for which data were available. Spatial overlap in spawning and a lack of temporal separation between the life-history types during spawning suggested that fluvial and allacustrine YCT were not reproductively isolated. Radiotagging, as well as visual observations made annually from boats during April and May, indicated fluvial YCT overwintered downstream from Rkm 14 and were few, probably on the order of 10% of all YCT that spawned in the Yellowstone River.     

Variation in spatial and temporal gradients in zooplankton spring development: the effect of climatic factors

1. We examined the temporal and spatial heterogeneity of zooplankton in lake surface waters during the spring of 3 years in Lake Washington, U.S.A., a large lake with a high production of sockeye salmon fry. 2. We show large within‐season and among‐year variation in the horizontal distribution of temperature, chlorophyll a concentration, and zooplankton in the lake. The main pattern, a delay in zooplankton population increase from the north‐ to the south‐end of the lake, recurred in each year and was persistent within each spring. 3. The delay is primarily caused by the development of a temperature gradient during spring warming, as cold mountain water enters the south end of the lake, while warm water enters the north end via a river draining a nearby lake. Climate factors, such as air temperature and precipitation during winter and spring, appear to influence the extent of the delay of zooplankton increase. 4. If the climate continues to warm, the temporal disconnection in zooplankton development between lake areas immediately influenced by cold river inflow and areas that are influenced by spring warming may increase in magnitude. Thus, the different areas of the lake may not contribute equally to fish production.     

Advective effects of a reservoir flood on zooplankton abundance and dispersion

SUMMARY. 1. The diel vertical distribution and abundance of zooplankton in the Red River arm of Lake Texoma, Oklahoma-Texas, U.S.A., were examined between 25 January and 26 June 1982.
2. During periods of low river inflow, zooplankton vertical patchiness was related to wind stress. Zooplankton did not maintain distinct vertical patches under strong mixing.
3. In mid May heavy rainfall in the drainage basin increased discharge from the Red River and reduced water retention time in the reservoir. The Red River water mass entered the lake as a turbid, surface overflow plume. During this period of flooding most zooplankton populations declined and the distributions of remaining individuals deepened. Greatest population losses occurred between 0 and 7m, depths where most zooplankton had been concentrated prior to the flood.
4. A model of population dynamics based on depth specific rates of water exchange between the lake and the Red River, estimated from conductivity changes through time, accounted for the general pattern of change in zooplankton abundance and vertical dispersion.     

Adult lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens Rafinesque, 1817) occurrence in the Muskegon River system,a Lake Michigan drowned river mouth,USA

Recent advancements in telemetry have allowed managers and researchers to conduct comprehensive studies on the movement ecology of lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens), a species of conservation concern in most of the Laurentian Great Lakes basin. In Michigan waters of Lake Michigan, drowned river mouth systems (a protected lake-like habitat that connects a river to lake) support 4 of 11 remaining lake sturgeon populations. One of those remnant populations is supported by the Muskegon River, a drowned river mouth system consisting of both Muskegon Lake and the Muskegon River. The objectives of this 6-year telemetry study were to determine whether adult lake sturgeon occupied the Muskegon River system outside of the spawning season (defined as March to July), to quantify their use of the system annually, and to identify and characterize patterns in occurrence. A total of 21 adult lake sturgeon implanted with acoustic transmitters were passively monitored throughout the year during 2012–2017. Eighty-two percent of tagged fish at large were detected ≥1 day in the Muskegon River system annually, and tagged lake sturgeon were frequently detected during both spawning and non-spawning time periods. Residency index (i.e., no. detection days/365 days) values indicated that adult lake sturgeon were not only detected throughout the year but that they occupied the Muskegon River system for an average of 130 days each year (residency index = 0.36 ± 0.05 SE) during our most spatially intensive acoustic monitoring in 2016–2017. Additionally, 24% of tagged lake sturgeon were primary residents (i.e., residency index >0.5) of the Muskegon River system in both years. Adult lake sturgeon followed 1 of 3 patterns of occurrence based on individual detection histories, and those patterns varied temporally and by the relative amount of use (i.e., high, medium, and low). Our findings build on previous research that found drowned river mouth systems in Lake Michigan can be important nursery habitats for juvenile lake sturgeon by showing that these habitats also can be used extensively by adult lake sturgeon throughout the year.     

Water quality of rivers in the drainage basin of Lake Peipsi

Water quality and general regularities that have taken place in the water quality of rivers in the drainage basin of Lake Peipsi have been studied. The lake is located in the basin of the Narva River. Several changes of the water quality of the lake in 1970–1990, caused by increasing human impact, have been observed. The water quality of Lake Peipsi depends on its pollution load whereby the main part of the pollution reaches the lake via rivers. In 1985–1989 an extensive research programme of the lake and its drainage basin was carried out. In this paper a part of these results as well as recent changes in the water quality of the rivers of the Estonian side are studied. In the last years an improvement of the general state of rivers in the drainage basin of Lake Peipsi has taken place; the content of organic substances and nutrients in the inflows of Lake Peipsi and in the Narva River (lake outflow) is decreasing.     

Space invaders: Searching for invasive Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus dolomieu) in a renowned Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) river

Humans have the ability to permanently alter aquatic ecosystems and the introduction of species is often the most serious alteration. Non‐native Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus dolomieu) were identified in Miramichi Lake c. 2008, which is a headwater tributary to the Southwest Miramichi River, a renowned Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) river whose salmon population is dwindling. A containment programme managed by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Canada (DFO) was implemented in 2009 to confine Smallmouth Bass (SMB) to the lake. We utilized environmental DNA (eDNA) as a detection tool to establish the potential escape of SMB into the Southwest Miramichi River. We sampled at 26 unique sites within Miramichi Lake, the outlet of Miramichi Lake (Lake Brook), which flows into the main stem Southwest Miramichi River, and the main stem Southwest Miramichi River between August and October 2017. We observed n = 6 positive detections located in the lake, Lake Brook, and the main stem Southwest Miramichi downstream of the lake. No detections were observed upstream of the confluence of Lake Brook and the main stem Southwest Miramichi. The spatial pattern of positive eDNA detections downstream of the lake suggests the presence of individual fish versus lake‐sourced DNA in the outlet stream discharging to the main river. Smallmouth Bass were later confirmed by visual observation during a snorkeling campaign, and angling. Our results, both eDNA and visual confirmation, definitively show Smallmouth Bass now occupy the main stem of the Southwest Miramichi.     

河湖生态系统生态用水优化研究——以滇池流域为例

生态需水是河流与湖泊生态系统健康的重要基础。湖泊流域的河流与湖泊生态系统之间存在密切的水量联系,目前对流域内生态用水的研究多为单一生态系统生态需水简单相加,忽略了河流和湖泊之间复杂的水量联系。基于河湖复合生态系统之间的水量联系构建了河湖生态系统生态用水优化模型,并以滇池为例分析了河湖生态系统生态用水规律。结果表明：湖泊流域中单一河流或湖泊生态需水计算结果不能满足复合生态系统的生态用水要求,需要综合考虑河流和湖泊之间的水量联系;在当前水质状况下,牛栏江每年的调水量不能满足滇池流域的生态用水要求;滇池流域水体污染对流域内生态用水影响较大,随着水体污染程度的下降,流域生态用水量和调水量呈指数下降,河流生态用水呈线性下降。     

Carbon Cycling of Lake Kivu (East Africa): Net Autotrophy in the Epilimnion and Emission of CO2 to the Atmosphere Sustained by Geogenic Inputs

We report organic and inorganic carbon distributions and fluxes in a large (>2000 km²) oligotrophic, tropical lake (Lake Kivu, East Africa), acquired during four field surveys, that captured the seasonal variations (March 2007–mid rainy season, September 2007–late dry season, June 2008–early dry season, and April 2009–late rainy season). The partial pressure of CO₂ (pCO₂) in surface waters of the main basin of Lake Kivu showed modest spatial (coefficient of variation between 3% and 6%), and seasonal variations with an amplitude of 163 ppm (between 579±23 ppm on average in March 2007 and 742±28 ppm on average in September 2007). The most prominent spatial feature of the pCO₂ distribution was the very high pCO₂ values in Kabuno Bay (a small sub-basin with little connection to the main lake) ranging between 11213 ppm and 14213 ppm (between 18 and 26 times higher than in the main basin). Surface waters of the main basin of Lake Kivu were a net source of CO₂ to the atmosphere at an average rate of 10.8 mmol m⁻² d⁻¹, which is lower than the global average reported for freshwater, saline, and volcanic lakes. In Kabuno Bay, the CO₂ emission to the atmosphere was on average 500.7 mmol m⁻² d⁻¹ (∼46 times higher than in the main basin). Based on whole-lake mass balance of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) bulk concentrations and of its stable carbon isotope composition, we show that the epilimnion of Lake Kivu was net autotrophic. This is due to the modest river inputs of organic carbon owing to the small ratio of catchment area to lake surface area (2.15). The carbon budget implies that the CO₂ emission to the atmosphere must be sustained by DIC inputs of geogenic origin from deep geothermal springs.     

The effect of sewage effluent on denitrification in Grasmere (English Lake District)

SUMMARY. Denitrification processes in Grasmere were studied using several techniques. Sediments were analysed for nitrate reductase activity and the accumulation of nitrogenous gases in samples incubated in the laboratory. Changes in the concentrations of inorganic nitrogen species in the water column and the release of gas bubbles into gas traps suspended above the sediment were also measured. Sewage effluent entered the lake via the main inflow and faecal bacteria were used as tracers to map the path of the river (and effluent) across the lake. The main river flow was west of the island in the centre of the lake and across the smaller of the two main basins. A preliminary study indicated that this western basin was the site of most active denitrification and this was confirmed in the following year when a seasonal survey showed that deoxygenation, nitrate reduction and ammonium accumulation was more advanced at this site. In addition, this basin was the only area where consistent discharge of nitrogen and methane from the profundal zone was observed. The nitrate reductase assay demonstrated that the sediment was the major site of denitrification, and that activity in the water column was higher in the anoxic hypolimnion than in the euphotic zone. Gas evolution from incubated sediment samples was analysed by gas liquid chromatography (GLC) and indicated that maximum denitrifying activity occurred below the mud surface in oxidized sediments. There was reasonable agreement between the enzyme assay and the GLC technique but neither predicted events in the field satisfactorily. Viable, most probable number (MPN) counts of denitrifying bacteria had similar limitations. A bimodal seasonal pattern of nitrate reductase activity was observed at four sites during thermal stratification, but this could not be explained fully. The major site of denitrification was identified and it was calculated that the nitrogen gas discharged was equivalent to c. 54% of the nitrate removed from the water column.     

近十年太湖生态系统服务功能价值变化评估

理解和把握近年来湖泊生态系统服务功能退化规律的最佳手段是评估其生态系统服务功能价值的变化。以太湖为例,基于近十年来太湖生态系统的科学调查数据,综合运用生态学及经济学方法,对太湖生态系统的四大类功能和11个亚类的服务价值进行了综合评估。研究结果表明,2000年、2003年、2007年和2009年太湖生态系统服务总价值分别为1627.98亿元、1908.68亿元、1503.99亿元和3528.73亿元,保持逐渐升高的趋势,但是在2007年却意外降低。从2000年到2009年太湖生态系统服务功能价值构成发生了一些变化,2000年以供水功能为主体,约占总价值的43%,2003年和2007年变为以航运功能为主体,分别占总价值的41.31%和38.73%,而2009年又变为以旅游功能为主体,约占总价值的52.52%,总体上由供给功能向文化功能转变。航运功能和旅游功能急剧上升而供水功能急剧下降不利于长远发挥的太湖生态服务功能。蓝藻水华的发生可能降低太湖供给功能、支持服务功能和文化服务功能,进而对太湖生态服务的总价值产生负面影响。研究认为太湖生态系统对支持和保护人类社会具有重要的作用,为管理者和决策者有效的保护和管理湖泊生态系统提供了重要的信息。     

The impact of the River Ntahangwa, the most polluted Burundian affluent of Lake Tanganyika, on the water quality of the lake

Sources of pollution at the north end of Lake Tanganyika are concentrated around Bujumbura, Burundi. The impact of River Ntahangwa on the water quality of this part of Lake Tanganyika was compared with that of an unpolluted river, the Mugere. A shallow bay, not influenced by a river, was used as a reference station. Chemical analyses were carried out at four week intervals during nearly a year. Samples were taken at different distances from the shore and at different depths. River impact was detected up to 100 m from both river mouths. Even at 50 m from the mouth of the polluted River Ntahangwa, no important decrease of dissolved oxygen was detected. Chlorophyll-a maxima were found 100 m from the Ntahangwa mouth, but this was also the case 100 m from shore in the unpolluted bay. Lake water at 60 m depth was saturated with oxygen during the dry season, as it used to be in 1956. The rivers studied descent initially within the lake due to greater sediment load and lower water temperature. Nevertheless, it appears that these rivers mix completely in the lake within 100–300 m from the river mouths. The direct effects from organic pollution of the Ntahangwa on the lake seem to be rather negligible. Appropriate anti-erosion measures should reduce massive sediment discharge into the lake.     

Chemical limnology of Georgian Bay and the North Channel between 1974 and 1980

Intensive surveys of Georgian Bay and the North Channel were done in 1974 and 1980. This paper reviews the main findings of the surveys and describes the main factors that determine the chemistry of the two water bodies. Georgian Bay is oligotrophic. Its chemistry is determined chiefly by natural phenomena, specifically the geology of the drainage basin and the river runoff in the spring, and by exchange with Lake Huron and the North Channel. Localized eutrophication is found in the bays along the southern shore. The chemistry of the North Channel is determined by its very short residence time — about two years — caused by the large inflow from St. Mary's River. The water quality in the river reflects that of Lake Superior and the inputs of nutrients and contaminants from Sault Ste. Maire. Because of the short flushing time, the Channel remains oligotrophic despite the large loadings of phosphorus.     

Vertical segregation and seasonal changes in fish depth distributions between lakes of contrasting trophic status

High frequency (200kHz) echosounding was used to determine vertical structuring and seasonal changes in the depth distributions of limnetic fish in three New Zealand lakes. Juvenile (f.l. 30–50 mm) and large-sized (f.l. 50–80 mm) smelt Retropinna retropinna were segregated into discrete layers by depth in all three lakes throughout the year. Larval and post-larval bullies Gobiomorphus cotidianus (f.l. 8–20 mm) formed a further layer between the layers of small and iarge-sized smelt. Although the depths of the large-sized smelt and bully layers changed on a seasonal basis, vertical segregation between the three layers of fish persisted throughout the year, even when the lakes were homothermal. Seasonal movements of fish were disrupted by the autumnal deoxygenation of the hypolimnion in Lake Rotoiti. The schools of large-sized smelt were forced to ascend towards the layer of bullies, but segregation between these smelt and the bullies was maintained as the smelt occupied a much reduced depth range above the hypolimnion, and just below the bullies. The winter descent of bullies, which precedes their transition to a benthic existence failed to occur in Lake Rotoiti, even though the lake was fully mixed at this time.     

青海湖主湖区与湖水淹没区的细菌群落结构差异分析

为对比青海湖与湖滨淹没区的微生物群落结构及多样性的差异, 利用16S rRNA高通量测序技术, 研究不同环境条件下水体的微生物群落组成的异同。结果表明: 青海湖主湖区及淹没区的细菌在分类门级水平上相对丰度最高的为变形菌门(Proteobacteria, 44.8%), 其次分别隶属于拟杆菌门[Bacteroidetes, (25.9%±7.8)%]、蓝细菌门[Cyanobacteria, (13.6%±5.4)%]、放线菌门[Actinobacteria, (7.54%±9)%]和柔壁菌门[Tenericutes, (3.32%±2)%]。淹没区整体微生物多样性显著高于主湖区水体。部分微生物分类属在两个湖区呈现显著的分布差异暗示这些细菌对于环境特征的适应性。节线藻在青海湖主湖的分布广泛显示其可能在高原咸水湖泊的碳氮循环过程中扮演着重要角色。研究对于深入了解栖居地如何塑造咸水水体微生物群落结构具有重要意义。     

Evidence for Late Glacial and Holocene environmental changes from subfossil assemblages in sediments of Lake Neuchâtel, Switzerland

Ostracod and diatom assemblages, mollusc remains, plus pollen and sediment stratigraphy from three cores taken at sites 40, 80 and 135 m deep in Lake Neuchâtel, Switzerland, show distinct changes since deglaciation. Shifts are interpreted in terms both of climatic change and major changes in the catchment input caused by the Aar River entering or bypassing Lake Neuchâtel. Three palaeoenvironmental phases are recognized: (1) the Late Glacial, with the inflow of the river before 10,000 yr B.P.; (2) the early to mid-Holocene, with temporary bypassing of the river between 10,000 and 4850 yr B.P.; and (3) the mid- to late Holocene, without river input after approx. 4850 yr B.P. During periods with river input, rhythmites were deposited. Ostracods indicate a well oxygenated hypolimnion, suggesting deep ventilation enhanced by the river inflow. The diatom assemblage indicates eutrophic to mesotrophic conditions and is dominated by generally well preserved periphytic species. The high number of unidentifiable pollen suggests oxidation during transport in the river. During periods without river input, a massive calcareous silt with abundant authigenic calcite was deposited, diatoms indicate a change to mesotrophic and oligotrophic conditions, and decreased sedimentation rates and higher alkalinity enhanced the dissolution of diatoms. Terrestrial and littoral molluscs as well as periphytic diatoms indicate erosion of the shore when the lake level rose or fell with onset or offset of the river inflow. Before 12,600 yr B.P., the patchy vegetation cover led to intensive soil erosion and high sedimentation rates. The lake was still frozen during the winter months. After approx. 12,600 yr B.P. the sediment changed from clastic rhythmites to thinly bedded, non-glacial rhythmites, the vegetation cover became denser, the abundance of ostracods increased, and molluscs started to colonize the profundal zone of the lake. The Younger Dryas (approx. 10,700–10,000 yr B.P.) displays maximum abundance of ostracods, indicating deep ventilation. The transition to the Holocene is characterized by a change in the ostracod assemblage and the river bypassed the lake between approximately 10,000 and 8900 yr B.P. When the river reentered the lake after approximately 8900 yr B.P., a new ostracod species appeared. After two short periods of river bypassing between approximately 7200 and 6950 yr B.P., diatoms indicate a higher trophic level about 6000–5000 yr B.P. associated with higher erosion rates and increased nutrient input due to Neolithic agricultural activities. After approximately 4850 yr B.P. the river bypassed the lake again and the trophic level decreased. In contrast to the early to mid-Holocene periods of decreased oxygen supply, the mid- to late Holocene is characterized by deep ventilation. This is attributed to the northward retreat of the polarfront and enhanced westerlies consequent to decreased insolation after 6000 yr B.P. The change of the river flow pattern correlates with glacier oscillations and may suggest a climatic control. The final cessation of the inflow is attributed to diversion of the river consequent to isostatic uplift and late Neolithic clearance activity.     

Major ion chemistry in a tropical African lake basin

SUMMARY. The amount of water lost by seepage from Lake Naivasha, calculated as the residual in the water budget, was 5 (1973), 11 (1974) and 20% (1975) of the total water loss. Direct measurements of seepage in nearshore shallows indicated that water entered the lake via ground-water seepage in the northern portion and left the lake in the southern portion. Naivasha lies in a topographic closed basin but is hydrologically a seepage lake; it is distinctive among the lakes lying in the endorheic rift valleys of Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania because the water is fresh. The mean chemical composition (mg l^?1) of bulk precipitation collected on two transects across the rift valley near L. Naivasha and at three stations near Nairobi was: Na, 0.54, K, 0.31; Ca, 0.19; Mg, 0.23; SO₄, 0.72 and Cl, 0.41. The major inflow, the Malewa River, was largely a solution of bicarbonate (1.15 m-equiv, l^?1), sodium (9 mg l^?1) and calcium (8 mg l^?1) and carried a total dissolved solid load (kg ha^?1) of 62 (1973) and 120 (1974). Total dissolved solids, sodium, calcium and bicarbonate concentrations were inversely related to discharge. Among the standing waters in the Naivasha basin, sodium and bicarbonate are predominant and the mean total dissolved solute content (mg l^?1) increased from a low under the northern papyrus swamp (217) to intermediate values in L. Naivasha (329), the nearshore lagoons (367) and Crescent Island basin (394) to a high in Oloidien Lake (831). Ion ratios and stability field diagrams indicated that calcite is formed in the Crescent Island basin and Oloidien Lake. Calcite was detected in the sediments of the two basins. Ion ratios also indicated that sulphate was retained in the sediments of the northern papyrus swamp. Several factors combine to keep L. Naivasha's water fresh. A large fraction of the water supplied to the lake comes from dilute rivers and rain. The lake does not lie in a closed basin, but loses water and solutes via seepage. Exchanges with sediments both in the pelagic and littoral regions of the lake are the major routes for solute movement and biochemical sedimentation is a major factor in removal of silica. Both geochemical and biochemical sedimentation account for much of the potassium, calcium, magnesium and bicarbonate removal. Only low levels of the conservative ions, sodium and chloride, are taken up by the sediments, while very low levels of sulphate and fluoride are actually released.