Water Pollution

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Browsing Water Pollution by Subject "Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology"

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  • Publication
    Publication
    Physico-chemical charecteristics of Nyanza gulf in lake Victoria, Kenya.
    (Semantic Scholar, 2011) Misiko, Florence Monicah; Radull, John; Gichuki, John; Andika, Darius O.
    Kisumu Bay is greatly impacted by pollution from anthropogenic activities around Winam Gulf and from increased levels of industrial and municipal discharges from Kisumu town. This has resulted in significant changes in the trophic state and general ecology of the bay, impacting negatively on water quality, fisheries and livehoods. This study, therefore, aimed at determining the levels of physic-chemical parameters,nutrients and chlorophyll a in Kisumu Bay. Water quality measurements were conducted from April 2009-April 2010. Physico-chemical parameters (turbidity, temperature, conductivity, alkalinity, dissolved and suspended solids, and dissolved oxygen concentration) were measured using a sea bird, mult-parameter water quality probe, whereas nutrients (nitrates, nitrites and Phosphorous were analyzed by spectrophotometric techniques. There were significant spatial differences in the dissolved oxygen concentrations (p<0.0001) within the bay. These differences were especially pronounced at the Kisat, Maboko and Yatcht club stations which are associated with sewage discharge in Kisumu town. Similarly, significant differences (<0.05) associated with discharge from Kisumu town and seasonal nutrients runoffs from storm water were also observed in the spatial and temporal distribution of phosphorous ,ammonia, nitrates, nitrites and silicates within the gulf. Significantly, higher chlorophyll a concentrations were recorded during the dry season compared to the rainy season, probably as a result of high turbidity during the rainy season which reduces light penetration into the water. The study attributes this state of affairs to high nutrient loads from anthropogenic activities and industrial and municipal wastes and recommends stricter enforcement of the established policies on the quality of discharges from municipal and industrial establishments. There is also a need for environmental education and awareness creation targeting the lake communities to abate pollution in the lake.
  • Publication
    Publication
    Seawater Intrusion Vulnerability Assessment of a Coastal Aquifer: North Coast Of Mombasa, Kenya as a Case Study
    (International Journal of Engineering Research and Application, 2016-08) Idowu, Temitope Ezekiel; Nyadawa, Maurice O.; K’orowe, Maurice
    Groundwater pollution in the north coast of Mombasa is not only from surface sources but also from the intrusion of seawater via the Indian Ocean and creeks. This study assessed the vulnerability of the coastal aquifer to seawater intrusion using GALDIT index overlay method with the aid of GIS. Thematic maps of six major factors affecting seawater intrusion were prepared, and given appropriate weightages and ratings. These maps were overlaid, spatially analyzed to produce vulnerability maps and described based on low, moderate or high vulnerabilities. The results revealed a significant increase in percentage land cover for low vulnerability areas and a slight increase for high vulnerability regions between the pre-rains and the peak of raining season. The outcomes of this study provide useful insights on effective groundwater management for the study area.