Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Nutrient concentrations in Nyanza Gulf, Lake Victoria, Kenya: light limits algal demand and abundance

  • Published:
Hydrobiologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Nyanza Gulf is a large shallow embayment connected to Lake Victoria by the deep narrow Rusinga Channel. Between December 2000 and May 2002 the gradient of nutrients along the axis of Nyanza gulf into the main lake was determined. Nutrient concentrations in the gulf were found to be different from those in the main lake with phosphorus fractions, SRP and TP being significantly higher in the main lake than in the gulf. Well oxygenated conditions in the gulf keep the PO4–P strongly bound to mineral particles whereas in the main lake, where deeper depths allows for development of anoxia, it is released into solution. The low TN:TP molar ratio in the gulf and in the main lake indicates many algae may be N-limited and heterocystous N-fixing cyanobacteria may be favored. However, the high mineral turbidity in the gulf reduces light availability and hence limits algal abundance resulting in easily measure concentrations of mineral nutrients and in particular high levels of dissolved reactive silica. The gulf is a net source of dissolved silica and total nitrogen to the main lake while the main lake is potentially a source of P to the gulf depending on interchange through Rusinga Channel.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • American Public Health Association (APHA), 1995. Standard Methods for Analysis of Water and Wastewater, 18th edn. Port City Press, Baltimore, MD.

  • H. A. Bootsma R. E. Hecky (1993) ArticleTitleConservation of the African Great Lakes: a limnological perspective Conservation Biology 3 644–656

    Google Scholar 

  • H. A. Bootsma R. E. Hecky T. C. Johnson H. J. Kling J. Mwita (2003) ArticleTitleInputs, outputs, and internal cycling of silica in large, tropical lake Journal of Great Lakes Research 29 IssueIDsupplement 2 121–138 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2cXktVGmsbo%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • F. W. B. Bugenyi K. M. Magumba (1996) The Present Physicochemical Ecology of Lake Victoria, Uganda J. C. Johnson E. O. Odada (Eds) The Limnology, Climatology and Paleoclimatology of the East African Lakes Gordon and Breach Publishers Amsterdam 141–154

    Google Scholar 

  • D. Calamari M. O. Akech P. B. O. Ochumba (1995) ArticleTitlePollution of Winam Gulf, Lake Victoria, Kenya: a case study for preliminary assessment Lakes and Reservoirs: Research and Management 1 89–106

    Google Scholar 

  • L. M. Campbell R. E. Hecky S. B. Wandera (2003) ArticleTitleStable isotope analyses of food web structure and fish diet in Napoleon and Winam Gulfs, Lake Victoria, East Africa Journal of Great Lakes Research 29 IssueIDsupplement 2 243–257 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2cXktVGmtr4%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • W. H. Dowdeswell (1984) Ecology: Principal and Practice Heinemann Educational Books London 308

    Google Scholar 

  • S. J. Guildford R. E. Hecky (2000) ArticleTitleTotal Nitrogen, total phosphorus and nutrient limitation in lakes and oceans Limnology and Oceanography 6 1213–1223 Occurrence Handle10.4319/lo.2000.45.6.1213

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • S. J. Guildford H. A. Bootsma E. J. Fee R. E. Hecky G. Patterson (2000) ArticleTitlePhytoplankton nutrient status and mean water column irradiance in Lakes Malawi and Superior Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management 3 35–45

    Google Scholar 

  • S. J. Guildford R. E. Hecky W. E. Taylor R. Mugidde H. A. Bootsma (2003) ArticleTitleNutrient enrichment experiments in tropical Great Lakes Malawi/Nyasa and Victoria Journal of International Great Lakes Research 29 IssueIDsupplement 2 89–106 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2cXktVGmsbw%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • R. E. Hecky (1993) ArticleTitleThe Eutrophication of Lake Victoria. Verhandlungen Internationale Vereinigung Limnologie Sturtgart 25 39–48 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK2cXhsVegsQ%3D%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • R. E. Hecky (2000) ArticleTitleA biogeochemical comparison of Lakes Superior and Malawi and limnological consequences of an endless summer Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management 3 23–33 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3cXjsVOnsbY%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • R. E. Hecky F. W. B. Bugenyi (1992) ArticleTitleHydrology and chemistry of the African Great lakes and water issues: problems and solutions Mitteilungen der Internationale Vereinigung für Theoretische und Angewandte Limnologie 23 45–54

    Google Scholar 

  • R. E. Hecky H. A. Bootsma R. Mugidde F. W. B. Bugenyi (1996) Phosphorus Pumps, Nitrogen Sinks, and Silicon Drains: Plumbing Nutrients in the African Great Lakes J. C. Johnson E. O. Odada (Eds) The Limnology, Climatology and Paleoclimatology of the East African Lakes Gordon and Breach Publishers Amsterdam 205–223

    Google Scholar 

  • R. E. Hecky H. A. Bootsma M. L. Kingdon (2003) ArticleTitleImpact of land use on sediment and nutrient yields to Lake Malawi/Nyansa (Africa) Journal of Great Lakes Research 29 IssueIDsupplement 2 139–158 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2cXktVGmsbs%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • R. W. Howarth R. Marino (1988) ArticleTitleNitrogen fixation in freshwater, estuarine, and marine ecosystem 2. Biogeochemical controls Limnology and Oceanography 33 688–701 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaL1cXlslGktbk%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • C. Hummert J. Dahlmann M. Reichelt B. Luckas (2001) ArticleTitleAnalytical techniques for monitoring harmful cyanobacteria in lakes Lakes & Reservoirs: Research and Management 6 159–168 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXntFGkurs%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • H. J. Kling R. Mugidde R. E. Hecky (2001) Recent changes in the phytoplankton community of Lake Victoria in response to eutrophication. The Great Lakes of the World (GLOW): Food-web, Health and Integrity Backhuys Publishers Leiden, The Netherlands 47–65

    Google Scholar 

  • L. Krietz A. A. Ballot C. Wiegand K. Kotut C. A. Codd S. Phlugmacher (2001) ArticleTitleCyanotoxin-producing Bloom of Anabaena flos-aquae, Anabaena discoidea and Microcystis aeruginosa (Cyanobacteria) in Nyanza Gulf Lake Victoria, Kenya Journal of Applied Botany. Angewandte Botanik 76 179–193

    Google Scholar 

  • H. B. O. Lung’aiya A. M’Harzi M. Tackx J. Gichuki J. J. Symoens (2000) ArticleTitlePhytoplankton Community Structure and Environment in the Kenyan Waters of Lake Victoria Freshwater Biology 43 529–543

    Google Scholar 

  • K. M. Mavuti M. R. Litterick (1991) ArticleTitleComposition, distribution and ecological role of zooplankton community in Lake Victoria, Kenyan waters Verhandlungen Internationale Vereinigung Limnologie 24 1117–1122

    Google Scholar 

  • R. Mugidde (1993) ArticleTitleThe increase of in phytoplankton primary productivity and biomass in Lake Victoria (Uganda) Verhandlungen Internationale Vereinigung Limnologie 25 846–849

    Google Scholar 

  • R. Mugidde R. E. Hecky L. L. Hendzel W. D. Taylor (2003) ArticleTitlePelagic nitrogen fixation in Lake Victoria (East Africa) Journal of Great Lakes Research 29 IssueIDsupplement 2 76–83 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0380-1330(03)70540-1 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2cXktVGmsb8%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Njuru, P. G., 2001. Physico-chemical Environment of Nyanza Gulf of Lake Victoria (Kenya) and Impact of Closure of Mbita Passage. MSc. Thesis (unpublished). IHE, Delft, The Netherlands: 80.

  • P. B. O. Ochumba (1990) ArticleTitleMassive fish kills within Nyanza Gulf of Lake Victoria, Kenya Hydrobiologia 208 93–99

    Google Scholar 

  • P. B. O. Ochumba D. I. Kibaara (1989) ArticleTitleObservations on blue-green algal blooms in the open waters of Lake Victoria, Kenya African Journal of Ecology 27 23–34

    Google Scholar 

  • H. W. Paerl (1988) ArticleTitleNuisance phytoplankton blooms in coastal, estuarine, and inland waters Limnology and Oceanography 33 823–847 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaL1cXlslGkurw%3D Occurrence Handle10.4319/lo.1988.33.4_part_2.0823

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • J. F. Talling (1966) ArticleTitleThe annual cycle of stratification and phytoplankton growth in Lake Victoria (East Africa) Internationale Revue der Gesamten Hydrobiologie und Hydrographie 51 545–621

    Google Scholar 

  • E. H. S. Van Duin G. Blom F. J. Johannes R. Maffione R. Zimmerman C. F. Cerco M. Dortch E. P. H. Best (2001) ArticleTitleModeling underwater light climate in relatio to sedimentation, resuspension, water quality and autotrophic growth Hydrobiologia 444 25–42 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXkslOhur8%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • D. Verschuren D. N. Edington H. J. Kling T. C. Johnson (1998) ArticleTitleSilica depletion in Lake Victoria: sedimentary signals at offshore stations Journal of Great Lakes Research 24 118–130 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK1cXis1GjtLk%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • D. Vershuren T. C. Johnson H. J. Kling D. N. Edgington P. R. Leavitt E. T. Brown M. R. Talbot R. E. Hecky (2002) History and Timing of Human Impact on Lake Victoria East Africa The Royal Society London 289–294

    Google Scholar 

  • R. G. Wetzel G. E. Likens (1991) Limnological Analysis EditionNumber2 Springer-Verlag New York, Inc. 391

    Google Scholar 

  • R. G. Wetzel (1983) Limnology EditionNumber2 763 Sanders College Publishing, USA

    Google Scholar 

  • Worthington, E. B., 1930. Observations on the temperature, hydrogen-ion concentration, and other physical conditions of the Victoria and Albert Nyanzas. Internationale Revue der Gesamten Hydrobiologie und Hydrographie: 328–357

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Lake Victoria Environmental Management Programme (LVEMP), Water Quality Management Component, P.O. Box 1922, Kisumu, Kenya

    Peter Gikuma-Njuru

  2. Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue, West Waterloo, Ont., Canada, N2L 3G1

    R. E. Hecky

Authors
  1. Peter Gikuma-Njuru
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. R. E. Hecky
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Peter Gikuma-Njuru.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Gikuma-Njuru, P., Hecky, R. Nutrient concentrations in Nyanza Gulf, Lake Victoria, Kenya: light limits algal demand and abundance. Hydrobiologia 534, 131–140 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-004-1418-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-004-1418-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation