Dynamics and driving factors of late Holocene gullying in the Main Ethiopian Rift (MER)

The issue of determining the driving factors in gullying, apart from land use, is somewhat lagging in comparison with the study of their physical modelling and control technology. Available information focuses on the basic ideas of climatic control, anthropic determinism and internal “authigenic” dynamics. High resolution chronology of cyclic systems, common in extensively gullied areas, can provide a clue to the weight of each factor. This paper reports a study of this kind, focusing on two gully catchments in the Main Ethiopian Rift (MER), but backed by an extensive regional survey. By integrating tracing and correlation of unconformity-bounded stratigraphic units and soils with radiocarbon dating, a detailed chronology was obtained for the last 5000 years. This could be compared with proxy climate reconstructions of similar detail. Clear evidence of climatic control emerged; gully filling is triggered by decreased stream transport capacity and increased sediment supply during transitions towards drier climate phases, while gully entrenchment appears to take place at the start of moist intervals, for the reverse reasons. A broader consideration of geological setting, however, puts forward a more general interpretation. These gullies actually formed, in the beginning, as part of the land surface response to sudden, very recent tectonic events, which created accommodation space for temporary sediment stores. They should then be seen in the frame of the Discontinuous Ephemeral Stream (DES) concept; as such, they are intrinsically non-linear and complex phenomena, whose response is linearized by a strong climatic–vegetational forcing, acting on both channel flow and sediment supply.     

Ecological succession and land use changes in a lake retreat area (Main Ethiopian Rift Valley)

In the semi-arid Main Ethiopian Rift Valley, ecological succession is related to continuous lake retreat. Human activity, through its impact on land use and cover, affects this ecological succession at various degrees. Through a remote sensing study, we explored how the drivers for land use and cover changes (LUCC) have changed over the last decades and which impact this has on ecological succession. Remote sensing data used include a Landsat MSS from 1973, a Landsat TM from 1986 and Landsat ETM+ from 2000; a conventional type of classification was used whereby supervised classification of the 2000 image was supplemented by unsupervised classification of the older images. Due to decreased rainfall and water abstraction for intense irrigated agriculture in its catchment, Lake Abijata lost 46% of its area between 2000 and 2006. On the emerged land, an ecological succession was observed along the environmental gradient of the retreating lake: emerged bare land, grassland, land with few scattered Acacia shrubs and open woodlands. Between 1986 and 2000, LUCC tendencies were totally reversed and woody vegetation decreased strongly, indicating increased human impact. This land degradation took place in a context of instable political situation, fuelwood extraction, higher population density and better communications.     

Falling water-levels in saline lakes of the central Rift Valley of Kenya: The case of Lake Elmenteita

Reasons why Lake Elmenteita and rivers flowing into it decreased in volume during 1958–1987 were investigated. The effects of changing climate, landcover and landuse were considered. The study suggested that falling lake water-levels are not due to climate change alone: landuse changes and river abstraction and damming may also be important. Long-term trends in rainfall and evaporation reveal various patterns: monthly evaporation has slightly decreased recently but with no effect on lake levels; rainfall has remained more or less constant in total amount, but monthly falls show increased variability. Although flows in rivers and streams are primarily determined by rainfall, other factors operate near the lake so discharge into the lake cannot be predicted from rainfall. Increased settlement and farming on former forested areas within the catchment and irrigation along rivers also indirectly affect discharge values. Additionally, accelerated soil erosion from farmed lands has led to a reduced lake volume following soil deposition in the lake. It is noted that landuse changes need to be carefully monitored because of their effect on lake levels.     

Early-Holocene geochemical evolution of saline Medicine Lake,South Dakota

Medicine Lake is a highly saline, meromictic, magnesium sulfate, closed-basin lake in northeastern South Dakota. The geochemical, mineralogical, and magnetic stratigraphies of sediments deposited from about 10.8 to 4.5 ka B.P. document the evolution of the saline brine in response to climatic change in the early to mid-Holocene. During the spruce occupation of the Medicine Lake catchment (10.8–10.0 ka B.P.), dark-grey massive basal sediments with low total-sulfur and carbonate content, upwardly increasing organic-carbon content, and high magnetic susceptibility were deposited in a deep freshwater lake. As the vegetation in the area changed from spruce to birch to oak and elm and finally to prairie between 10.0 and 9.2 ka B.P., and as the lake became shallow and salinity increased from <2 to >10%, light-and dark-grey calcareous and organic-carbon-rich banded sediments with low total-sulfur content and low magnetic susceptibility were deposited. Previous studies have shown that during the forest/prairie transition the lake then changed abruptly from fresh to saline as it lost a substantial portion of its volume. During the early prairie period (9.2–5.5 ka B.P.), alternating sections of aragonite-rich laminae and grey massive sediments with high total-sulfur content and multiple gypsum layers were deposited in a meromictic environment under conditions of fluctuating lake levels and salinity. Continued aridity during the mid-Holocene (5.5–4.5 ka B.P.) probably maintained the lake at relatively low levels and high salinity as dark-grey generally massive sediments with moderate total-sulfur, carbonate, and organic-carbon content and no measurable magnetic susceptibility were deposited.     

Sulfur distribution in five Ethiopian Rift Valley soils under humid and semi-arid climate

The Rift Valley has diverse soil types with different fertility potential. The climate of the Rift Valley is also diverse. Five major soil types that lie in the humid, sub-humid, and semi-arid parts of the Rift Valley were studied. Total sulfur (S) in the subsoil of the Solonetz and Andosol approximates total S contents of similar soils in other parts of the world. Organic matter is the major source of total sulfur for the soils in the humid parts (Nitisol, Andosol and Vertisol), whereas gypsum is the major source for the soils in the drier parts (Fluvisol and Solonetz). The Nitisol has the lowest soluble sulfate, which is below the critical level for crop production. All other soils contain soluble sulfate which is adequate for crop production. Land degradation, crop residue removal, clearing and burning of forests and other vegetation, crop uptake, and use of non-S fertilizers are major causes of sulfur deficiency in the Rift Valley. Maintenance of the soil organic matter, utilization of subsurface inorganic S and proper management of soils should maintain the S status of the soils in the future.     

Recent limnological changes in a saline lake of the Bolivian Altiplano,Lake Poopo

During the past twelve years, Lake Poopo, located on the Bolivian Altiplano, has had two main types of morphometry. Before 1985, its level was low and the depth shallow (maximum 3 m); there was no outlet and a strong salinity gradient existed from north to south. After 1985, the depth doubled, an outlet developed and the salinity became uniform throughout the lake (∼10 g L⁻¹). Before 1985, the phytoplankton was distinguished by a high number of diatom taxa and by the dominance of diatoms in the algal biomass. After 1985, while diatoms were still numerous in terms of species composition, Peridiniales or Chlorophyceae dominated the algal biomass. *** DIRECT SUPPORT *** A02GG003 00002     

Palaeoclimatic implications of isotopic data from modern and early Holocene shells of the freshwater snail Melanoides tuberculata, from lakes in the Ethiopian Rift Valley

Carbon and oxygen isotope ratios in the shells of the freshwater snail Melanoides tuberculata yield information on the isotopic composition of the water in which the shell was formed, which in turn relates to climatic conditions prevailing during the snails' life span. Melanoides is particularly important because it is widespread in Quaternary deposits throughout Africa and Asia and is ubiquitous in both fresh and highly evaporated lakes. Whole-shell and incremental growth data were collected from modern and fossil shells from two lakes in the Ethiopian Rift Valley. 18O values in the modern shells from Lake Awassa are in equilibrium with modern waters, while 18O values in subfossil shells from the margins of Lake Tilo indicate high rainfall during the early Holocene. Sequential analysis along the growth spiral of the shell provides information on seasonal or shorter-term variability of lake water during the lifetime of the organism.     

Land-use/cover changes in relation to stream dynamics in a marginal graben along the northern Ethiopian Rift Valley

This paper investigates land-use/cover changes related to river dynamics in northern Ethiopia. Aerial photographs from 1965 to 1986, and SPOT images of 2007 and 2014 were used to extract land units. Land-use/cover changes took place in 48% of the entire landscape around the river across the last five decades. Changes related to swap accounted for 37%, whereas net changes accounted for 11%. The most systematic transitions in terms of gain were from shrubland to farmland, alluvial deposit to settlement, and alluvial deposit to active channel and settlement. Most of these transitions were related to the river dynamics and depict cyclic transitions: farmland → active channel → alluvial deposits → grassland/shrubland → farmland. Human interventions and natural vegetation succession were also very important. The study concludes that river systems have considerable impact on livelihood and need attention in land management undertakings in graben bottoms.     

Observations on the diagenetic behaviour of arsenic in a saline lake: Pyramid Lake,Nevada

We present, to our knowledge, the first dissolved arsenic (As) data from the pore waters of a closed-basin, saline lake, Pyramid Lake, USA. The As concentrations first decrease across the sediment-water interface to values below lake water concentrations and then rapidly increase to values as high as 5.85mol L^–1 at a depth of 15 cm. This maximum value is reached at the top of the sulfate reduction zone. The profile suggests that As is remobilized in the suboxic and anoxic zones of the sediments and is reprecipitated near the sediment-water interface under oxic conditions.     

Historical and recent changes in Lake Texcoco,a saline lake in Mexico

Historical and recent changes in the nature of Lake Texcoco, a saline lake in Mexico, are described. These changes are particularly important since they significantly affect water supply, drainage and other urban issues in Mexico City, Mexico's largest city and capital located within the general boundaries of the lake basin and gradually sinking (mean annual sinking rate is 30 cm). After brief reviews of the present status of the lake and background geological, palaeolimnological and climatic features, human activities during historical and recent times are considered. Of particular note have been drainage basin activities, diversion of inflows, pollution and over-exploitation of groundwater and biological resources (especially fish and waterfowl). The major effects of these activities are water shortages, soil erosion, salinization, dust storms, sinking ground, poor water quality and decreased biological resources. Conservation measures are discussed.     

The siliceous sediments of Lake Cantara South,a saline lake in South Australia

A textural analysis of the siliceous sediments component of a small saline lake in south-eastern South Australia (Lake Cantara South) was undertaken. The data indicated periods of marine incursion, lagoonal dominance and elevated freshwater inputs. Lake Cantara originated as a marine embayment; then followed periods of intermittent marine connection; finally, the lake became athalassic (mostly saline but with occasional freshwater inundations). This history accords well with that derived from an examination of mollusc fossils (marine, estuarine, athalassic saline, and freshwater forms) and with previously published mineralogical, geochemical and geomorphological evidence.     

A Study of Lake Wyara, an episodically filled saline lake in southwest Queensland, Australia

Lake Wyara lies on a tertiary fault, but is much modified geomorphologically by wind and subsequent wave action from the west, so that the eastern shore is smoothed and lined by beaches at various levels, but there is no lunette. When full and overflowing, which has occurred 4–5 times in the last 108 years, it is 3400 ha in area and ca 6m in depth. Most overflows are due to floodwaters from the adjacent Paroo catchment entering the lake via its outflow and then returning again back to the river. During 1987–96, it completely filled and dried once, salinity varying from 2.8 to 350 g L-1. Water was clear, alkaline and strongly dominated by Na and Cl-ions. Macrophytes grew abundantly offshore at lower to moderate salinities, fish were few in variety and limited to low salinities, and waterbirds were usually both diverse and numerous. During the 10 years of study, only 13 zooplankter species and 23 species of littoral inverbebrates (with 3 ostracods common to both lists) were encountered; most lived at lower salinities (<30 g L-1) and none was found >60 g L-1. Dominants were mainly crustaceans and included Boeckella triarticulata and Daphnia angulata when hyposaline, and Daphniopsis queenslandensis, Moina baylyi, Diacypris spp., and Mytilocypris splendida at higher salinities. Insects were generally limited to hyposaline conditions, but Micronecta sp., and Tanytarsus barbitarsis were euryhaline. Overall, the invertebrate fauna is depauperate by comparison with saline lakes elsewhere in Australia, but similar to that in other large saline lakes in the semi-arid and arid zones of central and eastern Australia. This is related to the lake's episode nature which provides an unreliable and unpredictable habitat and therefore not encouraging speciation and also to a relatively homogenous habitat throughout the lake due to strong wind action smoothing shorelines vertically and horizontally.     

Hydrogeological investigation of Chappice Lake, southeastern Alberta: Groundwater inputs to a saline basin

Sediment cores from Chappice Lake, a hypersaline, groundwater-fed lake in southeastern Alberta, have been used in previous studies to reconstruct Holocene climate using lake levels as a source for proxy climate data. This assumes that the lake is fed by a shallow groundwater system sensitive to changes in climate. In this study we use the dynamics and chemistry of groundwater entering the lake to test this hypothesis.Groundwater inputs calculated from historical records using a simple water budget were highest during periods when the precipitation deficit was high. Over specific time intervals, the expected relationship between lake volumes and climate were not always found. Feedback loops between lake levels and groundwater input, and time lags within the system are the mechanisms proposed to explain these discrepancies.Field measurements suggest discharge of a local surficial groundwater system. Slug tests reveal a high conductivity system (K = 10-5 m/s) surrounding the lake. Hydraulic heads measured in standpipe, multilevel and minipiezometers installed around Chappice Lake show that the lake is situated in a closed hydraulic head contour. Hydraulic heads and water table elevations show strong annual fluctuations corresponding to seasonal changes in recharge. Horizontal hydraulic gradients measured in areas of groundwater springs indicate a strong horizontal component of flow towards the lake. Vertical hydraulic gradients are low and indicate the upward flow of water consistent with the discharge of a shallow, surfical groundwater system.Groundwater sampled from deposits surrounding Chappice Lake and springs feeding the lake have compositions similar to both shallow surficial aquifers and bedrock aquifers suggesting that the lake may be receiving inputs from both sources. However, evaporation simulations using PHRQPITZ, show that the evaporation of water typical of bedrock aquifers result in a mineral assemblage and brine composition different from that found at Chappice Lake. This suggests that discharge of a regional groundwater system can be eliminated as a dominant source over the lake's history. Evaporation simulations suggest that evaporation of groundwater from shallow surficial deposits can best explain the present mineral assemblage and brine chemistry and were likely the dominant source of water to the lake.Bedrock and shallow surficial groundwater sources have different chemistries and isotopic compositions. In hydrogeological settings such as Chappice Lake where more than one source may contribute to the lake, the relative importance of the different sources may change with changes in climate. If the source water composition to the lake changes, identifying changes in climate or hydrology based on changes in the composition of the lake preserved in sediment core will be made more difficult. This may complicate paleoclimate and paleohydrological reconstructions that rely on mineralogical and isotopic data.     

Diatom-derived palaeoconductivity estimates for Lake Awassa, Ethiopia: evidence for pulsed inflows of saline groundwater

A 6,500-year diatom stratigraphy has been used to infer hydrochemical changes in Lake Awassa, a topographically closed oligosaline lake in the Ethiopian Rift Valley. Conductivity was high from ~6400-6200 BP, and from 5200-4000 BP, with two brief episodes of lower conductivity during the latter period. Although the timing of the conductivity changes is similar to the timing of lake-level change in the nearby Zwai-Shalla basin, their directions are the reverse of that expected from a climatic cause. Dissolution of the tephras which precede both phases of high conductivity cannot explain the increases in salinity, because rhyolitic tephras are only sparingly soluble. Instead, the pulsed input of groundwater made saline by the reaction of silicate minerals and volcanic glass with carbonic acid, formed from the solution of carbon dioxide degassed from magma under the Awassa Caldera, is suggested as a plausible mechanism for the observed change in lake chemistry. Diatom-inferred hydrochemistry cannot therefore be used to reconstruct climate change in Lake Awassa.     

A note on water and sediment temperature in Lake Sasykkul, a small saline lake in the eastern Pamirs, Tadzikstan

Temperatures recorded in August 1985 in the water column and sediments of Lake Sasykkul, a small mountainous saline lake in Tadzikstan, are noted. The lake was weakly heliothermal and the underlying permafrost was depressed.     

Normal fault growth and early syn-rift sedimentology and sequence stratigraphy: Thal Fault, Suez Rift, Egypt

This paper investigates the tectono‐stratigraphic development of a major, segmented rift border fault (Thal Fault) during ca. 6 Myr of initial rifting in the Suez Rift, Egypt. The Thal Fault is interpreted to have evolved by the progressive linkage of at least four fault segments. We focus on two contrasting structural settings in its hangingwall: Gushea, towards the northern tip of the fault, and Musaba Salaama, ca. 20 km along‐strike to the south, towards the centre of the fault. The early syn‐rift stratigraphic succession passes upwards from continental facies, through a condensed marginal marine shell‐rich facies, into fully marine shoreface sandstone and offshore mudstone. Regionally correlatable stratal surfaces within this succession define time‐equivalent stratal units that exhibit considerable along‐strike variability in thickness and facies architecture. During the initial ca. 6 Myr of rifting, the thickest stratigraphy developed towards the centre of the array of fault segments that subsequently hard linked to form the Thal Fault. Thus, a displacement gradient existed between fault segments at the centre and tip of the fault array, suggesting that the fault segments interacted, and a fixed length was established for the fault array, at an early stage in rifting. Towards the centre of the Thal Fault the early syn‐rift succession shows pronounced thickening away from the fault and towards a series of intra‐block antithetic faults that were active for up to ca. 6 Myr. This indicates that a large proportion of fault‐controlled subsidence during the initial ca. 6 Myr of rifting occurred in the hangingwalls of antithetic intra‐block faults, and not the present‐day Thal Fault. The antithetic faults progressively switched off during rifting such that after ca. 6 Myr of rifting, fault‐activity had localised on the Thal Fault enabling it to accrue to the present‐day high level of displacement. Aspects of the development of the Thal Fault appear to be in contrast to many models of fault evolution that predict large‐displacement rift‐climax faults to have always had the greatest displacement during fault population evolution. This study has implications for tectono‐stratigraphic development during early rift basin evolution. In particular, we stress that caution must be taken when relating final rift‐climax fault structure to the early tectono‐stratigraphy, as these may differ considerably.