National Repository :: Browsing by Author "Thomas Mutuku Munyao"

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Modelling Relationship between Soil Permeability and Organic Carbon in Pesticide Transport into Groundwater
(2015-09-29) Simon Mburu Njoroge; Odipo Osano; Thomas Mutuku Munyao
Groundwater contamination by pesticides is an environmental health concern throughout the world. Many pesticides do not leach because they are adsorbed on the soil particles or organic matter even though they may have a relatively high solubility. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between soil permeability and organic carbon in the transport of pesticides into groundwater along the shore of Lake Naivasha, using regression analysis of soil permeability and organic carbon data collected along the shore. The results showed that the soil organic carbon (foc) positively affected the soil permeability (k) and were related by the equation k= 80.724(1.726)foc . It was concluded that organic carbon increased soil permeability by 30%, thereby recharging the aquifer while at the same time reducing pesticide transport into groundwater. Based on these findings the study recommended that the use of compost (organic amendments) should be increased in place of inorganic fertilizers.