Nutrients distribution patterns in Tudor estuary during rainy season
Kazungu, J.M.; Dehairs, F.A.; Goeyens, L. (1987). Nutrients distribution patterns in Tudor estuary during rainy season, in: Martens, E.E. Kenyan-Belgian Project in Marine Sciences: Second Quarterly Report. pp. 64-69
In: Martens, E.E. (1987). Kenyan-Belgian Project in Marine Sciences: Second Quarterly Report. Kenyan Belgian Cooperation in Marine Sciences: Brussel. 144 pp., more
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| Keywords |
Cycles > Chemical cycles > Geochemical cycle > Biogeochemical cycle > Nutrient cycles
Gradients > Salinity gradients
ISW, Kenya, Mombasa, Tudor Creek
Marine/Coastal |
| Author keywords |
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| Authors | | Top |
- Kazungu, J.M.
- Dehairs, F.A., more
- Goeyens, L., more
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| Abstract |
Nutrients distribution pattern for the Tudor Creek, covering the period April, May, June and July (1986) is investigated. It is noticed that on the beginning of the rainy season (April), a salinity gradient develops within the creek. This gradient has low salinity values upstream and high values towards the open sea. At this time the creek acquires estuarine characteristics. After the rainy, season, salinity values become more-or-less uniform throughout the creek. The low salinity by waters near the river mouths situated near the beginning of the creek, were found to have high nutrient concentrations which decreased gradually towards the open sea. The highest nutrient concentrations were recorded in May which also corresponded with the rainfall peak. From the analysis, it is therefore found that a lot of nutrients (Nitrate, Silicate and Phosphates) are washed into the estuary by the rivers during the rainy season. The Coast General Hospital's sewage drainage system is also identified as one of the local sources of nutrient supply into the estuary. However, its effect is not noticed during the peak of the rainy season due to the rich nutrient waters from the rivers upstream. |
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