An Environmental System Analysis of Lake Elementaita, Kenya With Reference to Water Quality.

Lake Elementaita, located in the Rift Valley of Kenya is a shallow hyper saline lake, with a mean depth of 0.7 meters and has a fluctuating lake area of between of 15 to 22km2. The major phytoplankton species is the cyanobacterium 'Spirulina' Arthrosporia fusiformis. which is the only food source of the lesser flamingo, Phoeniconiconaias minor. Lake Elementaita is hypertrophic with total phosphorus values of 0.9mg l-1 and a total nitrogen of 22mg l-1. The main sources of inflow are rivers Mereroni, Mbaruk and Kariandusi; as well as fresh water and saline hot springs, located in the southern part of the lake. The objective of this study was to find out the effect of the hot springs on the lake water chemistry as well as to establish the source of the nutrients. The Generalized Watershed Loading Function (GWLF) model was applied to simulate nutrient transport processes in the watershed. GWLF model estimates nutrient loads in stream flow as well as point sources. The hot springs were introduced in the model as point sources. Results indicate that the hot springs arc an important source of dissolved phosphorus in the lake. The hot springs arc fed by fracture flow along faults running on the rift valley floor. Spatial variation of water quality was studied as well. The spatial variation of electrical Conductivity gave a good indication of the water quality variation. This variation is influenced by winds, springs and surface water inflow (dilution effects). The hydrological link between lakes Elementaita and Naivasha may explain the source of dissolved phosphorus. The water type of Lake Naivasha groundwater and rivers Mereroni and Kariandusi was found to be similar. This is due to the similar rock types in the area. This consists of Basalts. Trachytes and Rhyolites.

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	Adeka, J.E., Strobl, R.O., Becht, R.
Other Authors:	Sengupta, M.
Format:	Book Section biblioteca
Language:	English
Published:	International Lake Environment Committee 2008
Subjects:	Water levels, Exploitation, Fishing gear, Freshwater fish, Inland fisheries, Lake fisheries,
Online Access:	http://hdl.handle.net/1834/7078
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