Constraining the Origin and Age of the Thermal and Cold Water in the Lake Natron Basin, Northern Tanzania

Springs on the eastern and western shores of Lake Natron Basin (LNB), located within branch East Africa Rift System (EARS) in Northern Tanzania had a discharge temperature that ranged between 34.0 °C 51.2 °C, while pH varied from 8.0 to 10.7. The electrical conductivity (EC) 5,007 µS/cm 49,200 µS/cm. Cold waters 31.9 32.5 8.3, EC 1,401 3,806 stable isotope composition -2.4 ‰ -5.3 for δ18O, -15.5 -29.3 δ2H. isotopic thermal cold water LNB indicates significant contribution meteoric recharge hydrothermal system. However, is affected by evaporation, water-rock interaction, carbon dioxide (CO2) exchange condensation processes. Tritium analysis indicated spring system has residence time more than 50 years.
 Keywords: water; Basin; isotopes; springs.