The glacier of Kilimanjaro (5,895 m) is decreasing rapidly due mainly to global climate change. In addition, Kilimanjaro plays an important role as a regional water catchment, also called "Water Tower." Hence, in this study, based on the analysis of the glacier reduction area in recent years, we aim to elucidate the possibility that melting water from the shrinking glacier contributes to the hillside river water using the satellite image analysis and isotope analysis.
The results of previous research and satellite image analysis show that the glaciers of Kilimanjaro have been shrinking at a fast rate during the period 1912-2019. The mean annual reduction area of glaciers has been increasing at 0.066 km2 (1989-2000), 0.067 km2 (2000-2010), and 0.088 km2 (2010-2019), and if this rate continues, it is expected that glaciers will disappear from Kilimanjaro around 2030. As a result of oxygen and hydrogen isotope ratio analysis of river water and glacier meltwater, hillside river water in the dry season (δ18O =−6.48‰ to −5.87‰, δD=−42.44‰ to −37.36‰, 3,939m to 4,579m) is more similar to glacier meltwater near the summit (δ18O =−6.03‰ to −5.14‰, δD=−48.19‰ to −39.02‰) than to precipitation in the high altitude zone (δ18O=−2.41‰, δD=−3.6‰, 4,360 m), which indicates the contribution of glacier meltwater to hillside river water.
In Kilimanjaro, most of the climbers visit in the dry season. If the glaciers will disappear in the future and fill up the river water which is essential for running camps, it is possible that the local tourism industry will be affected.
Mots clés : Tropical glacier|Climate change|Water cycle|Stable isotope|Kilimanjaro
A103549YO