Climate variability and hydrology impacts in east Africa’s Rwenzori Mountains

IF 4.7 2区地球科学 Q1 WATER RESOURCES

Journal of Hydrology-Regional Studies Pub Date : 2024-08-05 DOI:10.1016/j.ejrh.2024.101922

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Study region

The eastern flank of the 4 km Rwenzori Mountains and the Mobuku catchment 0.25–0.4 N, 29.85–30.1E are the geographic area for detailed analysis.

Research focus

Hydro-climate variability is studied using high resolution satellite- and model- assimilated products in the period 1980–2023. The Mobuku catchment receives rainfall of 3–6 mm/day which generates an eastward discharge of 100 m³/s that declines rapidly downstream, thereby limiting hydro-power availability.

New insights

Long-term trends in cloud fraction and potential evaporation reveal a tendency for drying associated with increasing easterly winds, subsidence near the mountain top, and warming of +.04 C/year that is melting glaciers. These constrain runoff on the eastern flank of the Rwenzori Mountains. Low river flows in Dec-Mar correspond with dry air intrusions from the northeast. High river flows in Jul-Nov are modulated by sea temperatures in the Indian Ocean that oscillate east-west at ∼3 year interval. Improved understanding of climate variability will contribute to better management of Uganda’s hydro-power resources.

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东非鲁文佐里山脉的气候多变性和水文影响

研究区域北纬 0.25-0.4 度，东经 29.85-30.1 度，4 公里长的鲁文佐里山脉东侧和莫布库集水区是进行详细分析的地理区域。研究重点利用 1980-2023 年期间的高分辨率卫星和模型同化产品研究水文气候的变异性。新见解云量和潜在蒸发量的长期趋势表明，随着东风的增加、山顶附近的沉降以及冰川融化导致的每年+.04摄氏度的变暖，气候趋于干燥。这些因素制约了鲁文佐里山脉东侧的径流量。12 月至 3 月的低河水流量与来自东北部的干燥空气入侵相对应。7月至11月的高河水流量则受印度洋海温的影响，印度洋海温以3年左右的间隔向东西方向摆动。加强对气候多变性的了解将有助于更好地管理乌干达的水电资源。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Journal of Hydrology-Regional Studies Earth and Planetary Sciences-Earth and Planetary Sciences (miscellaneous)

CiteScore

6.70

自引率

8.50%

发文量

284

审稿时长

60 days

期刊介绍： Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies publishes original research papers enhancing the science of hydrology and aiming at region-specific problems, past and future conditions, analysis, review and solutions. The journal particularly welcomes research papers that deliver new insights into region-specific hydrological processes and responses to changing conditions, as well as contributions that incorporate interdisciplinarity and translational science.