sign in sign up
<<
Home , Hydrography

Importance of and Hydrography Research in Kenya

Charles Magori KMFRI Mombasa

Oceanography and Hydrography Department

.This Department deals with physical, chemical, biological and geological oceanography of the inshore, near shore and offshore and support bioprospecting in these waters.

.Undertake hydrographic surveys.

. level data, sedimentation and mathematical modeling.

. Responsible for research on sustainable use and protection of aquatic resources in marine waters.

. Monitor and document the physical (including geological) and chemical characteristics (including pollution and nutrient dynamics) of the various aquatic ecosystems to discern natural and/or human induced changes.

. Undertake studies on the interrelationships between biota and their aquatic environments in relation to fisheries, aquaculture and conservation of biodiversity.

. Promote Integrated coastal Zone Management (ICZM) approach in the management of coastal and marine resources. Offshore Observations • NIOP, 1992 – 93 (RV Tyro) Studied the effect of the monsoon on the climate system in the northern Indian . • SWIOFP Cruises, 2011 - 2012 CTD profiles A Seabird 911 CTD plus is used to obtain vertical profiles of temperature, and oxygen

• ASCLME Cruise (cancelled) • Seismic vessels • Delineation of outer • KenSea

Nearshore Observations • monitoring • Oceanography of inshore areas • Shoreline change studies • ASCLME MEDA process

Currents - Offshore

Source: Nguli 2006

NEM-Current systems SEM-Current Systems Continental shelf of Kenya

Source: Nguli et al, 2006 Map of Kenyan showing the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) with the agreed extension Upgraded Mombasa KMFRI GLOSS Station Lamu KMFRI GLOSS tide station 6 Residual: Red; Observed: Blue; Predicted : Magenta Mombasa

5

4

3

2

1

0

-1 11-Dec-1998 30-Jan-1999 21-Mar-1999 10-May-199929-Jun-1999 18-Aug-1999 07-Oct-1999 26-Nov-1999 15-Jan-2000

4.5 Residual: Red; Observed: Blue; Predicted : Magenta Lamu 4

3.5

3

2.5

2

1.5

1

0.5

0

-0.5 15-Dec-200103-Feb-2002 25-Mar-2002 14-May-2002 03-Jul-2002 22-Aug-2002 11-Oct-2002 30-Nov-2002 19-Jan-2003 Sea-level trends at KMFRI Mombasa station

3050

y = 1.9621x - 533.43 3000

2950

2900

2850

Sea-Level (mm) Sea-Level 2800

2750

2700 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 Year

LAMU SEA LEVEL, DECEMBER 26, 2004

Lamu Tide Station 1.5

1

0.5

0 Se a Le ve l (m) -0.5

-1

-1.5 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 Time (Hour), De ce mbe r 26 2004 Indian Ocean Travel Time KMFRI RV Mtafiti

Aquadopp RCM Aanderaa RCM Digital Elevation Modeling (DEM) Population density, Elevation and SLR Neap 2

1 Modeling results for Mtwapa creek

0 levels (m) Water levels -1 0 10 20 30 40 50

Spring 2

1 Blue – Observed

0 Red - Predicted

-1 Water level (m) Water level -2 0 10 20 30 40 50 Time (hours) 60

40

20

)

1 -

0

-20

Velocities Velocities (cms -40

-60

-80 0 10 20 30 40 50 Time (hours) Temperature Profile Salinity Profile 0 0

-50 -50 Depth(m) Depth(m) -100 -100

-150 -150 15 20 25 30 30 32 34 36 Temperature (oC) Salinity (PSU) T-S Diagram 28

26

C) o 24 CTD Casting 22 Ugwana Bay

Temperature( 20

18 30 32 34 36 Salinity (PSU) National Oceanographic Activities • AMESD e-station

• Biodiversity assessment of critical coastal habitats.

• Enhanced regional collaboration between ocean and climate experts to improve climate forecasts

• Hosting the national oceanographic data base (KeNODC)

• Hosting regional ocean teacher academy (OTA)

• Capacity Building in Data Buoy Cooperation Panel (DBCP) in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region.

• UN Regular Process that aims to assess both the state of the environment and the impacts of key human interactions with ocean ecosystem including socio-economics.

• State of the Coast Report for the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region (ICZM Process).

• preparation of the State of Marine Environment (SME) Report for Kenya. Challenges

• High cost of marine observations platform and equipment (e.g. Research Vessel, CTD, ADCP, etc)

• Inadequate scientific and technical capacity in the areas of and Coastal

• Develop capacity to make our own survey charts

• Piracy in the WIO region

ASCLME planned cruise in 2009 to study EACC and SC cancelled Potential Areas of Collaboration and Opportunities

• Joint oceanographic (physical, chemical, biological and geological) cruises between KMFRI and VLIZ teams onboard RV Mtafiti.

• Topographic and bathymetric mapping (MBES) – bathymetric charts.

• Hydrographic surveys for the inshore areas (creeks, bays lagoons, and nearshore and some parts of the outer shelf in order to add to the GEBCO data, improve and for model development to mitigate erosion, pollution (oil/sewage), tsunami inundation and early warning, maritime transportation in, into/out of harbors.

• Enhanced ocean surface, sub-surface and atmospheric observations to further understand these processes to improve the ocean forecasting.

• Deployment of drifting buoys and floats for integrated observations.

• Capacity building in Oceanography (Internships, MSc. and PhD. courses for young Scientists).

• Satellite oceanography and climate change (SST, SSS, , altimeter, etc.