Comparison of thermal stratification, light attenuation and Chlorophyll-a dynamics between the ends of Lake Tanganyika

Thermal structure, light attenuation, and chlorophyll-a dynamics within the upper 100 m at the northern and southern ends of Lake Tanganyika were measured from August 1995–July 1996. Pronounced variability of thermal structure in time, depth and region were observed. During the dry windy season (June–September), the water column in the south was largely isothermal down to 100 m, while in the north stratification was detectable. Subsequently, in October, cessation of winds coincided with a reestablishment and strengthening of thermal stratification in the south, and a distinct rise of a weakened thermocline in the north was accompanied by an increase in epilimnetic concentrations of dissolve…