Modelling nitrogen transformation in the Lake Bunyonyi ecosystem, South-Western Uganda

• DOI: 10.1007/s13201-022-01709-0
• Publication Date: 2022-06-24T07:04:01Z
• Authors: Alex Saturday; Thomas J. Lyimo; John Machiwa; Siajali Pamba
• Keywords: Lake ecosystem; Nutrient pollution; Nitrogen Cycle; Biogeochemistry

Abstract Lake Bunyonyi is one of the major resources social-economic potential in districts Rubanda and Kabale, South-Western Uganda. The lake’s sub-catchment faces environmental problems because intensive agriculture, settlement, business tourism activities, which consequently cause pollution water system. This study, therefore, intended to determine processes that govern nitrogen dynamism using a numerical model takes into account various system STELLA® 8.1.1 software. From simulation, it was found mineralization, microbial uptake nitrification were governing transformation phase, accounting for 47.8% (0.49 g/d m −2 ), 44.2% (0.45 7.8% (0.05 respectively. developed predicted reasonably well behaviour lake evidenced by validation results observed simulated data showed good linear regression coefficients ( R 2 ) organic (0.48), ammonia–nitrogen (0.68), nitrate–nitrogen (0.61). has proven suitable application on lakes with characteristics similar Bunyonyi. study recommended compressive investigation puts consideration all possible sources nutrient inflow be done