Lake sediments and sub-aquatic sources
The unknown discharge volumes of the sub-aquatic springs of Lake Kivu have been identified as the most relevant uncertainties for predicting the development of the lake under different methane extraction scenarios.
So far the sub-aquatic inflows have been estimated based on model calculations in order to reproduce observed vertical profiles of nutrients and methane concentrations. Since a good understanding of the lake system is indispensable to establish an optimal methane harvesting and fisheries strategy in Lake Kivu as well as a reasonable hazard assessment, the present project aims at locating and sampling the sub-aquatic sources for an independent estimate of the inflows. In addition, the external nutrient inputs need to be measured with a higher temporal resolution to build and calibrate a model for the nutrient inputs from the whole catchment.
The project also intends to complement the observed recent large changes in the sedimentation rates of dissolved inorganic carbon and nutrients with biological variables.
Besides the scientific aims, the project seeks to improve the local research capacities in both countries, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda.