Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-2016-176
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-2016-176
08 Jun 2016
 | 08 Jun 2016
Status: this discussion paper is a preprint. It has been under review for the journal Hydrology and Earth System Sciences (HESS). The manuscript was not accepted for further review after discussion.

Application of isotopes and water balance on Lake Duluti–groundwater interaction, Arusha, Tanzania OF ISOTOPES AND WATER BALANCE ON LAKE DULUTI-GROUNDWATER INTERACTION, ARUSHA, TANZANIA

Nancy P. Mduma, Hans C. Komakech, Jing Zhang, and Alfred N. N. Muzuka

Abstract. Water chemistry, and stable isotopes of oxygen and hydrogen (18O and 2H respectively), were used to characterize and quantify Lake Duluti–groundwater interaction. Physico-chemical parameters: temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, total dissolved solids, alkalinity, major cations and anions were used to determine chemical characteristics of the lake and to assess its relationship with groundwater sources. Physico-chemical parameters showed abundance of major cation and anions in the Lake water in the following order Na > Ca > K > Mg and HCO3 > Cl > F > SO4 > NO3. The lake water was predominantly Na-HCO3 type in both wet and dry season, while spring waters were mostly of Ca-HCO3 type, and boreholes were of Ca-Na-HCO3 type during the dry season. In the wet season, springs and boreholes were mostly of Na-HCO3 and Na-K-HCO3 types respectively. Isotopic results indicate that evaporation-induced isotopic enrichment prevails in the lake and contributes significantly to water loss from the lake. The δ18O of the lake water averaged +6.1 ‰ while that of well/boreholes and springs averaged −1.2 ‰ and −2.1 ‰ respectively. Similarly, the δD of lake water averaged +24.2 ‰ while that of well/boreholes and springs averaged −12.9 ‰ and −12.2 ‰ respectively. Stable isotope calculations indicate that the lake loses it water to the groundwater aquifer. Water balance model equations used to quantify the level of lake–groundwater exchange found that the Lake Duluti receives and recharges more groundwater than it receives from precipitation and surface runoff. Groundwater thus plays a major role in the hydrological system of Lake Duluti. The findings in this research are of assistance to policy makers and management personnel to make use of the information provided for better management of the lake water.

Nancy P. Mduma, Hans C. Komakech, Jing Zhang, and Alfred N. N. Muzuka
 
Status: closed
Status: closed
AC: Author comment | RC: Referee comment | SC: Short comment | EC: Editor comment
Printer-friendly Version - Printer-friendly version Supplement - Supplement
 
Status: closed
Status: closed
AC: Author comment | RC: Referee comment | SC: Short comment | EC: Editor comment
Printer-friendly Version - Printer-friendly version Supplement - Supplement
Nancy P. Mduma, Hans C. Komakech, Jing Zhang, and Alfred N. N. Muzuka
Nancy P. Mduma, Hans C. Komakech, Jing Zhang, and Alfred N. N. Muzuka

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Short summary
The study was done to ascertain Lake and groundwater interactions. It uses stable isotopes oxygen and hydrogen to establish the connections between groundwater and a crater lake found in Northern Tanzania. The result indicate high rate of evaporation from the lake, and that the inflow from groundwater is lower the lake discharge to the aquifer. Based on these findings groundwater plays a major role on the water balance of Lake.