Understanding the 3D Hydrodynamics of Lake Tanganyika: Insights From Modeling Circulation Patterns Using a 3D ROMS Model
Abstract This study simulates circulation patterns in Lake Tanganyika, an economically vital lake in East and Central Africa that has experienced significant warming, and reduced fishery yields in recent decades. We use Regional Ocean Modeling System to analyze thermal stratification, wind‐driven pr...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Geophysical Research Letters |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1029/2025GL116448 |
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| author | Tumaini Kamulali Paul Goodman Joellen Russell Andrew Cohen |
| author_facet | Tumaini Kamulali Paul Goodman Joellen Russell Andrew Cohen |
| author_sort | Tumaini Kamulali |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract This study simulates circulation patterns in Lake Tanganyika, an economically vital lake in East and Central Africa that has experienced significant warming, and reduced fishery yields in recent decades. We use Regional Ocean Modeling System to analyze thermal stratification, wind‐driven processes, and circulation dynamics within the lake. Our findings show surface temperatures ranging from ∼25.8°C to ∼27.8°C seasonally, with a notable increase of up to 0.4°C below 150 m depth between 2001 and 2020. Primary upwelling occurs in the southern region from May to August, while secondary upwelling is observed in the north from November to February. Bathymetric variations influence upwelling and downwelling processes. Our results emphasize that the interaction between atmospheric and hydrodynamic factors regulates the nutrient distribution, which is crucial for fisheries and biodiversity. We also highlight the importance of modeling in understanding the warming trends and ecological responses of Lake Tanganyika to climate change. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-7a72795ae1a241c3a60f4db93f6c3e9f |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 0094-8276 1944-8007 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Geophysical Research Letters |
| spelling | doaj-art-7a72795ae1a241c3a60f4db93f6c3e9f2025-08-20T03:41:54ZengWileyGeophysical Research Letters0094-82761944-80072025-08-015215n/an/a10.1029/2025GL116448Understanding the 3D Hydrodynamics of Lake Tanganyika: Insights From Modeling Circulation Patterns Using a 3D ROMS ModelTumaini Kamulali0Paul Goodman1Joellen Russell2Andrew Cohen3Department of Geosciences The University of Arizona Tucson AZ USADepartment of Geosciences The University of Arizona Tucson AZ USADepartment of Geosciences The University of Arizona Tucson AZ USADepartment of Geosciences The University of Arizona Tucson AZ USAAbstract This study simulates circulation patterns in Lake Tanganyika, an economically vital lake in East and Central Africa that has experienced significant warming, and reduced fishery yields in recent decades. We use Regional Ocean Modeling System to analyze thermal stratification, wind‐driven processes, and circulation dynamics within the lake. Our findings show surface temperatures ranging from ∼25.8°C to ∼27.8°C seasonally, with a notable increase of up to 0.4°C below 150 m depth between 2001 and 2020. Primary upwelling occurs in the southern region from May to August, while secondary upwelling is observed in the north from November to February. Bathymetric variations influence upwelling and downwelling processes. Our results emphasize that the interaction between atmospheric and hydrodynamic factors regulates the nutrient distribution, which is crucial for fisheries and biodiversity. We also highlight the importance of modeling in understanding the warming trends and ecological responses of Lake Tanganyika to climate change.https://doi.org/10.1029/2025GL116448Lake Tanganyikaregional ocean modeling system (ROMS)thermal stratificationcirculation dynamicsupwelling and downwellingclimate change impacts |
| spellingShingle | Tumaini Kamulali Paul Goodman Joellen Russell Andrew Cohen Understanding the 3D Hydrodynamics of Lake Tanganyika: Insights From Modeling Circulation Patterns Using a 3D ROMS Model Geophysical Research Letters Lake Tanganyika regional ocean modeling system (ROMS) thermal stratification circulation dynamics upwelling and downwelling climate change impacts |
| title | Understanding the 3D Hydrodynamics of Lake Tanganyika: Insights From Modeling Circulation Patterns Using a 3D ROMS Model |
| title_full | Understanding the 3D Hydrodynamics of Lake Tanganyika: Insights From Modeling Circulation Patterns Using a 3D ROMS Model |
| title_fullStr | Understanding the 3D Hydrodynamics of Lake Tanganyika: Insights From Modeling Circulation Patterns Using a 3D ROMS Model |
| title_full_unstemmed | Understanding the 3D Hydrodynamics of Lake Tanganyika: Insights From Modeling Circulation Patterns Using a 3D ROMS Model |
| title_short | Understanding the 3D Hydrodynamics of Lake Tanganyika: Insights From Modeling Circulation Patterns Using a 3D ROMS Model |
| title_sort | understanding the 3d hydrodynamics of lake tanganyika insights from modeling circulation patterns using a 3d roms model |
| topic | Lake Tanganyika regional ocean modeling system (ROMS) thermal stratification circulation dynamics upwelling and downwelling climate change impacts |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1029/2025GL116448 |
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