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Lake Barombi Mbo, Cameroon
Cameroon, Camerún, Kumba
Lake Barombi Mbo is a lake near Kumba in the Southwest Region of Cameroon. It is located in the Cameroon volcanic chain, and is the largest volcanic lake in this region. It is one of the oldest radiocarbon-dated lakes in Africa, with the youngest lava flow in it being about 1 Million years old. On old colonial maps the area was known as Elephant Lake, but the elephants living in the area were extirpated due to ivory trading.
Until now, 15 species of fishes have been recorded from the lake. Among others, this includes Labeobarbus batesii, a member of the Fundulopanchax mirabilis group, and the endemic catfish Clarias maclareni. Perhaps most noteworthy are the 11 species of cichlids that are endemic to the lake:
- Konia spp.
- Stomatepia pindu
- Myaka myaka
- Pungu maclareni
- Sarotherodon caroli
- Sarotherodon caroli linnellii
- Sarotherodon caroli lohbergeri
- Sarotherodon caroli steinbachi
In addition, the species of the lake are in danger since the gases that the volcano emits (CO2) and the contamination by the humans.
- Submitted by
- Nico Luchoro
- Approved by
- Ad Konings & Anton Lamboj
- Geographical region
- Central Africa
- Drainage Basin
- Lake Barombi Mbo
- River catchment
- Water body type
- Lake
- Water body name
- Barombi Mbo
- Water body part
- Open water
- Water body course
- Water body: tributary of
- Tributary name
Videos above and below water
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Water Chemistry
Water information
- Water type
- fresh-water
- Water color
- Black water
- Water transparency
- Medium
- Concentration of sediments
- Medium
- Water temperature
- 24-28 °C
- Water flow/curent
- Slow
Chemical parameters
- pH
- 7.0
- Conductivity
- 0.674
- GH
- 6 mg/l
- dGH
- KH
- 2 mg/l
- dKH
- Dissolved Oxygen
Substrate in nature
- Sand
- Beige
- Pebble/Gravel
- Beige
- Stone
- Grey
- Stone form
- Irregular
- Silt/Mud
- Beige
- Leaves
- Adundant
- Driftwood
- Many
- Submerged terrestrial vegetation
- Yes
Aquatic Biotope
- Date of collecting
- Collecting area
- Water depth
- 0,2m
- Air temperature
- 32 °C
- Sunlight
Environment
- Environment
- Affected by human activity
- Affected by human activity
- Pollution
- Pollution
- Advanced
- Surrounding area
We find the crater of a flooded volcano where a lake is formed. Being a volcanic area, the vegetation is very abundant due to the rich soil. We also find a lot of fauna of birds, mammals and reptiles.
- Underwater landscape
Underwater we find a large amount of leaves, wood and sediments which leaves water with tannins and somewhat cloudy.
Fish:
- Stomatepia pindu (Cichlidae)
- Sarotherodon caroli (Cichlidae)
- Fundulopanchax mirabilis (Nothobranchiidae)
- Myaka myaka (Cichlidae)
Aquatic plant:
- Potamogeton octandrus (Potamogetonaceae)
- Najas pectinata (Hydrocharitaceae)
- Threats to ecology
As it is a sacred lake for the tribe that lives near it, they are trying to preserve endemic species and avoid overfishing.
Riparian zone
- Trees near the aquatic habitat
-
Many -
Comment by the expert
Ad Konings: Very good.
Anton Lamboj: Could be a bit better, in Stomatepia just one species is listed, in Konia just sp. (even when total species number of cichlids in the lake is correct).
