The distribution of temperature, oxygen and nutrients in Lake Bukoni, Uganda

Temperature, oxygen and nutrients were determined in the permanently stratified Lake Bukoni from July 2004 to December 2005. Meromixis has resulted from the nature of the surrounding hilly topography and the almost vertical crater walls that exclude the effects of light winds. These circumstances and the tropical temperature regime ensure permanent stratification in the offshore part of the lake. From about 20 m to the bottom, the water was out of circulation and devoid of oxygen. Water samples from such depths had a strong smell of hydrogen sulphide gas. The inshore site, with greater turbulence and littoral area, had a uniformly oxygenated water column compared with the offshore site. According to information from members of the community around the lake, 'fish kills' have taken place but on irregular occasions. The nutrients (N, P and Si) were well distributed in the inshore site. In the offshore site, the concentrations were generally lower in the uppermost 20 m but more than double near the mud surface. Soluble reactive phosphorous was the least abundant nutrient while soluble reactive silicon was the most abundant nutrient. The high Si : P ratios have led to the dominance of species like Synedra ulna Ehr.