ORIGIN OF STRATIFICATION IN AN AFRICAN RIFT LAKE

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Abstract
Physical, chemical, and algal features of Lake Albert (East Africa) are described, chiefly from three longitudinal surveys in 1960–61. The major ionic composition of the water is largely determined by another lake (Lake Edward) higher in the drainage system, but abiogenic sources are possibly responsible for a great enrichment of phosphate and depletion of silica. Contrary to most earlier accounts, a well‐marked thermal and chemical stratification can develop in the lake. The thermal stratification is probably related to profile‐bound density currents of cooler water, which flow from shallow areas of the lake and have varying effects in deeper water. Their interpretation is supported by examples of chemical and algal stratification, particularly of dissolved oxygen, silica, and a species of the diatom Nitzschia.

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