Understanding hydrodynamic and climate effects on the transboundary Lake Victoria basin at a catchment scale

• This study examines how hydrodynamic processes in the catchment area of Lake Victoria are affected by climate change. A methodology was developed using numerical modelling and long-term geospatial mapping methods to understand the influence of climate change on hydro-meteorological processes in Lake Victoria, utilising satellite and climatic data from 1900 to 2020. The methodology enables the examination of how hydrodynamic processes, like the inflow of water to the lake and responses to water level variations, are impacted by climate variables. The resulting model demonstrates the crucial interdependence between hydrodynamic processes and climatological factors. Long-term rainfall variation shows a linear positive correlation, which explains the increase in the lake’s overall water level. With respect to the bathymetry as well as the areal coverage, the presence of nutrients in the lake water helps to identify pollution patterns and water quality. Given the regional importance of shallow freshwater lakes across the world, Lake Victoria provides an exceptional case study and the study shows how numerical modelling can improve understanding of the relationship between the physical features of shallow lakes and their hydrodynamics. This includes analysing flow patterns, hydro-meteorological processes, transport of pollutants, and the impact of eutrophication. These factors are crucial in determining water levels and water quality, especially in face of climate change.

Subject headings

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Samhällsbyggnadsteknik -- Vattenteknik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Civil Engineering -- Water Engineering (hsv//eng)

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Samhällsbyggnadsteknik -- Geoteknik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Civil Engineering -- Geotechnical Engineering (hsv//eng)

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Naturresursteknik -- Fjärranalysteknik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Environmental Engineering -- Remote Sensing (hsv//eng)

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Naturresursteknik -- Annan naturresursteknik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Environmental Engineering -- Other Environmental Engineering (hsv//eng)

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Geovetenskap och miljövetenskap -- Klimatforskning (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Earth and Related Environmental Sciences -- Climate Research (hsv//eng)

Publication and Content Type

pop (subject category)

ovr (subject category)