Browsing by Author "Obed, Nyabaro"

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
  • Publication
    Publication
    Assesment Of The Concentration Of Selected Heavy Metals (Pb, Cu, Cd, Zn) In Soils Within The Nyambera Dumpsite
    (Research Gate, 2020-06-26) Okemwa, Evans; Obed, Nyabaro; Kituyi, John; Mukenyi, Peter
    Heavy metals are part of the soil, but at high concentration levels are considered toxic. With the current exponential population growth, urbanization, industrialization and advancement in agriculture has increased solid waste significantly over time. Due to lack of proper well-structured waste management systems, solid waste has been disposed in open dumpsite which lack any mechanism of control. Over time, due to accumulation-various heavy metals are introduced in the soils and end up being leached, carried away by surface-runoff or introduced to plants by farmers who rely on refuse (from the dumpsite) to plant their crops. This study was aimed at determining the concentration levels of Pb, Cu, Cd and Zn at the Nyambera dumpsite and compare their levels with the WHO recommendation levels for soils. Stratified random sampling was employed and soil samples collected on top of the dumpsites, the slope of the dumpsite and at the banks of river Nyakomisaro which flows adjacent to the dumpsite. Digestion was carried using concentrated hydrochloric acid then topped up to 100ml. Metal analysis was carried out using ICPOES. The results of Pb, Cu, Cd and Zn were as follows 91.31, 281.8, 3.253 and 542.3 ppm respectively. The concentrations were found to be very high at the dumpsite as compared to the recommended levels by WHO. Based on the results obtained the dumpsite should be treated with various remediation methods being applied to help lower the levels of these metals. Farmers using the refuse as manure for their crops should seek other alternatives for their farms.
  • Publication
    Publication
    Assessment of Heavy Metal Concentrations (Cu, Cd, Pb, and Zn) in Wastewater from Gusii Treatment Plant in Kisii County, Kenya
    (Pan Africa Journal of Sciences, 2022) Rayori, Douglas; Albert, Getabu; Omondi, Reuben; Paul, Orina; Hellen, Nchore; Boniface, Gisacho; Obed, Nyabaro; Omondi, Argwings; Omweno, Job
    The concentrations of heavy metals were determined from wastewater samples collected from the Gusii wastewater treatment plant, from May to July, 2021. Heavy metal analysis was done using a flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer, model AA 7000 Shimadzu, Japan. The results showed that the concentrations of Zinc and Cadmium were below the detection limit for all the sampling sites. The concentrations of Lead and Copper (Mean ± SE) ranged between 0.34 ± 0.06 mg/L and 0.86 ± 0.08 mg/L and 0.25 ± 0.05 and 0.34 ± 0.01 mg/L respectively. The month of July exhibited a higher mean Cu concentration of 0.35 ± 0.004 mg/L compared to the mean Cu concentration (0.2 ± 0.02 mg/L) of May. Likewise, the mean lead concentration of May (0.60 ± 0.04 mg/L) was higher than the mean (0.53 ± 0.05 mg/L.) of July. The independent sample t-test showed that mean Cu concentration difference was significant between the sampling months (t (34) = 21.58; p < 0.05) while for Pb it was not significant between the sampling months (t (30) = 1.241; p = 0.274). The percentage removals of Copper and Lead were generally low at 12.61 % and 6.27 %, respectively. The continued discharge of effluent into River Riana may lead to accumulation of heavy metals in the environment, which in turn poses health risks to the general public. Therefore, the study recommends that Gusii Water and Sanitation Company continue monitoring and assessing the levels of heavy metals in the treatment plant for its sustainability.
  • Publication
    Publication
    Level of Metal Pollutants in Water from Nyakomisaro Stream through Kisii Town
    (University of Nairobi Research Archive, 2016-07) Janes, Omoko; Onyatta, John; Obed, Nyabaro; Kenada, and
    Environmental pollution is currently one of the major issues facing humanity. It has increased exponentially in the past few years and reached alarming levels in terms of its effects on living creatures (Renge et al., 2012). The presence of toxic metals in the environment and more specifically in the various water sources is of major concern because of their toxicity, non-biodegradable nature and threat to human, animal and plant life. According to Kadirvelu et al., (2001) electroplating, painting, metallurgical, mining, textile, municipal, incineration and chemical manufacturing industries all generate toxic metals at various levels. Toxic metal ions enter into water and soil from different waste-water sources. As a result they pollute the water streams and soil. A number of crops and aquatic plants take up these metals and bio-accumulate them. As trace elements, some of the heavy metals such as Copper and Zinc are essential to maintain the metabolism of the human body however at high concentrations and accumulated levels they could be poisonous. According to Ocharo and Bokea (2014), the concern over the pollution of Nyakomisaro stream has been raised by the regulatory authorities who have cited activities such as car wash centres and damping sites along Nyakomisaro stream as the cause, hence recommending cleanup. The aim of this study was to access the concentrations of cadmium, copper, lead and zinc metals in water sampled from Nyakomisaro stream.