Sources of Water Pollution and Selected Physicochemical Parameters of the Nyakomisaro River in Kisii County, Kenya
Emmy Kerich,
Ndege Fidelis
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 2, June 2020
Pages:
17-23
Received:
14 April 2020
Accepted:
6 May 2020
Published:
19 May 2020
Abstract: Water is the most vital natural resource in existence as all forms of life depend on it. However, this resource is constantly polluted by human activities. Pollution of rivers is a big challenge not only in Kisii County but as a Country at large. Purposive sampling was used to identify the study area and random sampling was used to collect questionnaires. Water samples were also collected from the study site and physicochemical parameters were analysed in the laboratory. Primary data was analysed descriptively while laboratory data was analysed descriptively and statistically using t-test. Dumping of liquid and solid waste (37.2%) and farming along the river banks (34.9%) were some of the causes of pollution in River Nyakomisaro. The two main economic activities affecting the river are sand harvesting (30.6%) and farming along the river banks (26.8%). The mean value of COD, BOD, TDS, Do, pH, Ec and Temp in Nyaguru (upstream) sampling points were 74.58±13.88 mg/l, 8.42±0.4 mg/l, 20.25±0.5 N. T. U, 3.75±0.21mg/l, 6.78±0.02, 0.19±0.00 S/m and 22.28±0.37°C respectively and the mean value of COD, BOD, TDS, Do, pH, Ec and Temp in Daraja (downstream) sampling points were 14.33±1.09 (mg/l), 4.92±0.45 (mg/l), 17.5±0.5 N. T. U., 3.65±0.34 mg/l., 6.84±0.02, 0.18±0.00 S/m and 22.98±0.40°C respectively. The concentrations of these physico-chemical parameters except Do and pH showed significant differences among the points (P>0.05). The values of all the parameters were within standards stipulated by World Health Organization except the values of Chemical Oxygen Demand. This also means that this water is not good for drinking and certain protective measures should be taken to ensure that residents depending on the source are not affected by it use. Therefore, community and town residents should be sensitized on the effects of indiscriminate disposal of waste to environment and River Nyakomisaro. Also, there should be a continuous monitoring of the water quality along the river to ensure that water is safe for consumption.
Abstract: Water is the most vital natural resource in existence as all forms of life depend on it. However, this resource is constantly polluted by human activities. Pollution of rivers is a big challenge not only in Kisii County but as a Country at large. Purposive sampling was used to identify the study area and random sampling was used to collect question...
Show More
Challenges in Implementing Biodiversity Policy in Sub-Saharan Africa Region
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 2, June 2020
Pages:
24-30
Received:
13 February 2020
Accepted:
27 February 2020
Published:
29 May 2020
Abstract: The sub-Saharan Africa is, geographically, the area of the continent of Africa that lies south of the Sahara. According to the United Nations, it consists of all African countries that are fully or partially located south of the Sahara. The region is the less developed regions in the world, where the poorest people who are most vulnerable to biodiversity loss live, are also regions where threats to biodiversity are the highest. Also, the region was rich in high genetic diversity, even though there are a lot of factor that limit the implementation of biodiversity policy to the region. The aim of this review was to collect literature for different factor that limit the implementation of biodiversity policy to the region. Among different factor that affect the implementing of biodiversity policy in sub-Sahara Africa, deforestation is one of the major environmental problems in sub-Saharan Africa. According to World Bank report in 2007, the share of forest area in SSA has declined from 29.3% in 1990 to 26.1% in 2007. The other factor is expansion of Agriculture which, directly leads to the loss of the habitats displaced by crop and pasture lands patchy conversion patterns lead to the fragmentation of existing forest, and hence to a reduction in the number and abundance of species that can be supported on unconverted land. The next factor is war and conflict which is common in sub-Sahara Africa. War greatly reduces accessibility and increases the logistical difficulties of protecting the conservation and armed conflicts had a devastating impact on the region’s biodiversity. Climate change is an added stress to already threatened habitats, ecosystems and species in Africa, and is likely to trigger species migration and lead to habitat reduction. Up to 50% of Africa’s total biodiversity is at risk due to reduced habitat and other human-induced pressures. Other factors like urbanization, population growth and poverty of sub Saharan region also contribute their effects on the implementation of biodiversity policy. Therefore, it will be good make conducive environment before implementing biodiversity policy to the region to protect this rich biodiversity before losing completely.
Abstract: The sub-Saharan Africa is, geographically, the area of the continent of Africa that lies south of the Sahara. According to the United Nations, it consists of all African countries that are fully or partially located south of the Sahara. The region is the less developed regions in the world, where the poorest people who are most vulnerable to biodiv...
Show More
