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Western Indian Ocean Journal of Marine Science EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Prof. Michael Schleyer, Oceanographic Research Institute, Durban, South Africa EDITORIAL BOARD Dr Jared Bosire, Kenya Prof. Kassim Kulindwa, Tanzania Dr Blandina Lugendo, Tanzania Dr Francis Marsac, Reunion Dr Nyawira Muthiga, Kenya Prof. J. Paula, Portugal Prof. Chris Reason, South Africa PUBLISHED BIANNUALLY Aims and scope: The Western Indian Ocean Journal of Marine Science provides an avenue for the wide dissemination of high quality research generated in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region, in particular on the sustainable use of coastal and marine resources. This is central to the goal of supporting and promoting sustainable coastal development in the region, as well as contributing to the global base of marine science. The journal publishes original research articles dealing with all aspects of marine science and coastal management. Topics include, but are not limited to: theoretical studies, recovery and restoration processes, legal and institutional frameworks, and interactions/relationships between humans and the coastal and marine environment. In addition, WIOJMS features state-of-the-art review articles, book reviews, short communications and opinions. The journal will, from time to time, consist of special issues on major events or important thematic issues. Submitted articles are peer-reviewed prior to publication. Editorial correspondence, including manuscript submissions should be sent by e-mail to the Editor- in-Chief ([email protected]). Details concerning the preparation and submission of articles can be found in each issue and at http://www.wiomsa.org Disclaimer: Statements in the Journal reflect the views of the authors, and not necessarily those of WIOMSA, the editors or publisher. Annual Subscription (2010). Institutional subscription: US$ 150, applicable to university libraries, laboratories, industrial and other multiple-reader institutions. Individual subscription: US$ 100. Members of WIOMSA are eligible for the discounted subscription rate of US $ 50. Prices are subject to amendment without notice Copyright © 2010 —Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA)) No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means without permission in writing from the copyright holder. ISSN 0856-860X Volume 9 Final 20th Oct 2010.indd 2 10/27/2010 10:02:02 AM Western Indian Ocean Journal of Marine Sciences Volume 9 Number 1 (2010) Volume 9 Final 20th Oct 2010.indd 3 10/27/2010 10:02:02 AM PREFACE The publication of this issue heralds change, as Alan Whittick is bowing out as Editor-in-Chief of the Western Indian Ocean Journal of Marine Science, having graciously and faithfully served in this capacity since inception of the Journal in 2002. The growth of the Journal is a tribute to his efforts, as well as to the scien- tists working in the region who have used it as a vehicle for publication of their work. I am now taking over the role of Editor-in-Chief and wish to build on the foundation laid by my predecessor. Allan was ably assisted in his work by an Editorial Board and we are similarly grateful to its members for their services. The size and composition of the board is now changing as it is being enlarged to reflect the growing diversity of research undertaken in the region. Further changes are being investigated to improve and streamline publication of the Journal through procedures such as online submis- sion. This will have several advantages and will make accepted manuscripts available on the web prior to going to press. There can be no doubt that the Western Indian Ocean Journal of Marine Science has grown in stature and the Editorial Board and I will work together to ensure its continued growth in importance, standard and distribution. We look forward to your continued support through the submission of manuscripts for publication in this Journal. MH Schleyer September 2010 Volume 9 Final 20th Oct 2010.indd 4 10/27/2010 10:02:02 AM Western Indian Ocean J. Mar. Sci. Vol. 9, No. 1, pp. 1-16, 2010 © 2010 WIOMSA Monthly Variations in Sea Level at the Island of Zanzibar S.B. Mahongo1 and J. Francis2 1Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute, P.O. Box 9750, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; 2Department of Aquatic Sciences and Fisheries, University of Dar es Salaam, P.O. Box 65011, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Keywords: Zanzibar, sea level variations, climate, spectral analysis, multiple regression. Abstract—Meteorological and tide gauge data were used to analyze correlations between climatic parameters and variations in mean sea level at Zanzibar for the period 1985-2004. This involved spectral and multiple regression analysis of the monthly variables, as well as harmonic analysis of hourly sea level. Air pressure and rainfall remained relatively constant during the 20-year study period, but there were trends in sea level, northeast winds, southeast winds and air temperature. Monthly variations in mean sea level, composed predominantly of semi-annual, annual and 4-year oscillations, were represented by the steric effect proxies of rainfall and air temperature (45%), southeast and northeast monsoon winds (41%), and air pressure (5%). The trend in sea level (9%) appeared to be mainly correlated with northeast winds. The annual cycle in sea level (36%) was represented to a certain degree by rainfall (11%), air temperature (10%), southeast winds (8%) and northeast winds (7%). The semi-annual component (28%) was best represented by southeast winds (15%), with the remaining 13% of the variability being equally represented by rainfall, northeast winds and air pressure. The 4-year oscillations, which accounted for about 27% of the variation in sea level, were mainly represented by air temperature (12%), rainfall (8%) and southeast winds (6%). There is a strong likelihood that physical processes other than meteorology and tides influenced the observed variations in sea level, especially in the 4-year cycle. Corresponding Author: SBM E-mail: [email protected] Volume 9 Final 20th Oct 2010.indd 5 10/27/2010 10:02:02 AM 2 S.B. MAHONGO & J. FRANCIS INTRODUCTION level is investigated off Zanzibar, contributing towards climate Changes in monthly mean sea level monitoring and coastal management. reflect fluctuations in atmospheric The largest manifestation of pressure (the inverted barometer seasonal change at the Island of effect), wind regime, river runoff and Zanzibar (Fig.1) is the monsoon steric effects due to changes in the wind reversal and associated changes specific volume of the ocean associated in climate. The northeast monsoon with shifts in water temperature and extends from January to February salinity (Tsimplis and Woodworth, and is characterised by higher air 1994). The steric effect causes sea temperatures, lower wind speeds and level to rise when the water is warm, consequently calmer sea. The southeast or has low salinity, and vice versa. At monsoon begins in April, ends in low latitudes, variations in mean sea November and is usually strong. Wind level are controlled to a very large speeds are highest between June and extent by these steric effects and are October, and are lowest during the mainly thermal (Pattullo et al., 1955; inter-monsoon months of March and Lisitzin and Pattullo, 1961). December. The heavy (long) rains Variations in sea level off Tanzania are experienced from March to May, have received very little attention. while the light (short) rains fall during Pattullo et al., (1955) indicated that November and December. the sea level in Dar es Salaam (Fig. The prevailing current along the 1), which is about 80 km south of Tanzanian coast is the East African Zanzibar, is highest during March-May Coastal Current (EACC), which flows and lowest during July-September. northwards throughout the year. Apart The authors, however, did not outline from the EACC, winds and tides are factors that may be responsible for the the main forces that drive the oceanic observed seasonality. Using rainfall circulation in the Zanzibar Channel and sea level data from 1962 to1966, (Mayorga-Adame, 2007). The Ragoonaden (1998) observed that Channel, which is about 35-40 km variations in monthly mean sea level wide and 120 km long, is generally at Tanga (about 120 km north of shallow with a depth of between 30-40 Zanzibar town) were mainly due to m in the middle (Shaghude & Wannäs, elevation of the sea surface resulting 1998). According to Harvey (1977) from changes in the current velocity and Mohammed et al., (1993), the off the coast, ruling out the effect of tidal circulation inside the Channel is rainfall and river runoff as a significant complex. Flood streams enter and ebb factor. In this paper, the contribution streams exit the Channel at both its of meteorology and long-term trends north and south entrances. While the in tides to monthly variations in sea Wami and Ruvu rivers on Mainland Volume 9 Final 20th Oct 2010.indd 6 10/27/2010 10:02:02 AM MONTHLY VARIATIONS IN SEA LEVEL AT THE ISLAND OF ZANZIBAR 3 Fig. 1: Map showing the island of Zanzibar, the major direction of the Southeast (SE) and Northeast (NE) Monsoon winds, and the direction of the East African Coastal Current (EACC). Tanzania discharge into the Zanzibar is protected by a number of offshore Channel directly opposite the island, islands, reefs and sandbanks that there are no permanent rivers on complicate current patterns in the Zanzibar. (Fig. 1). vicinity of the harbour area (Shaghude The Zanzibar tide gauge is located et al., 2002; Mayorga-Adame, 2007). on the seaward end of the main jetty The tide gauge was commissioned in Zanzibar Harbour, on the western in 1984, serving as one of the prime coast of Zanzibar town. The harbour Indian Ocean stations for observation Volume 9 Final 20th Oct 2010.indd 7 10/27/2010 10:02:02 AM 4 S.B.