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A decline in the depth of the mixed layer and changes in other physical properties of Lake Kariba’s water over the past two decades

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Abstract

A meta-analysis of multiple experimental data collected monthly over two time periods, 1986–1987 and 2007–2008 demonstrated significant changes in the physical properties of the water of Lake Kariba’s Sanyati Basin. Increased lake water temperatures were noted in 6 months of the year, with a smaller decline in water temperature with increasing depth in 2007–2008 than 1986–1987; resulting in a significantly higher (by 1.5°C) mean annual value of 24.7°C. Plots of water temperature gradients against depth revealed a decline in thermocline from 10- to 15-m depth in 1986–1987 to a consistent 5-m depth in 2007–2008. Lake water pH declined significantly from a mean annual value of 7.89 in 1986–1987 to 6.96 in 2007–2008; this decrease restricted to 6 months of the year. Lake water dissolved oxygen contents in 8 months of the year, increased significantly from a mean annual value of 5.45 mg l−1 in 1986–1987 to 6.94 mg l−1 in 2007–2008, with a substantially smaller decline in dissolved oxygen content with increasing depth evident in 2007–2008 than 1986–1987. Significant higher lake water conductivities in 2007–2008 than 1986–1987 were confined to 2 autumn months. These findings are compared with those in other tropical African lakes and potential links to climate warming are discussed.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to sincerely thank Prof. Magadza for providing comprehensive measurements of lake water physical properties taken during 1986 and 1987. We acknowledge the financial sponsorship of UNESCO Keizo-Obuchi Research Fund/Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) 2006/2007 Cycle in Environmental Studies and the assistance of University Lake Kariba Research Station and UZ-VLIR-UOS Aquatic Ecology project, Biological Sciences Department and the Tropical Resource Ecology Program of the University of Zimbabwe for lake water sampling and laboratory analyses. We also thank the two anonymous reviewers who provided valuable comments on the original manuscript.

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  1. Mzime Regina Ndebele-Murisa

    Present address: Department of Wildlife and Safari Management, Chinhoyi University of Technology, Private Bag 7724, Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biodiversity and Conservation Biology, University of the Western Cape, Box X17, Bellville, Cape Town, 7535, South Africa

    Mzime Regina Ndebele-Murisa, Charles Frank Musil & Lincoln Raitt

  2. Climate Change and Bio-Adaptation Division, South African National Biodiversity Institute, Claremont, Private Bag X7, Cape Town, 7735, South Africa

    Charles Frank Musil

  3. Department of Biological Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Box MP165, Mt. Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe

    Christopher H. D. Magadza

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  1. Mzime Regina Ndebele-Murisa
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Ndebele-Murisa, M.R., Musil, C.F., Magadza, C.H.D. et al. A decline in the depth of the mixed layer and changes in other physical properties of Lake Kariba’s water over the past two decades. Hydrobiologia 721, 185–195 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-013-1660-0

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