Abstract:
Seasonal and regional variation of the physicochemical and bacteriological characteristics of 180 water samples
collected from five fish landing beaches of Luanda Rombo, Dunga, Marengo, Osieko and Usoma in the Lake Victoria
Basin of Kenya was investigated. Colour, chloride, TSS, TDS, zinc, mercury and nitrates were all below the maximum
permissible but other parameters were above limits. Pathogenic bacteria isolated were Escherichea coli (69.6%),
Salmonella spp (18.5%), Shigella spp (6.5%) and Vibrio cholerae (5.4%). Dunga site was the most polluted and that
water from catchment areas closer to urban areas was more contaminated. Seasonal variation showed that pH, colour,
turbidity, TSS, BOD, phosphate, nitrates and coliforms were significantly high (p<0.001) in the wet season. In the dry
season temperature, EC, TDS, heavy metals, chloride and ammonia were significantly high (p<0.001). The high level
of pollutants in wet season was due to storm water run offs carrying a higher load of contaminants while in dry season
it is likely due to the increased solubility of ions as a consequence of the elevated water temperature and low pH. High
loads of contaminants in water could pose immediate and long term public health concerns to unsuspecting water users
especially due to the pathogenic coliforms, nutrients, algae and heavy metals. Therefore, proper policies regarding
protection of the Lake Victoria environmental integrity are required and stiff measures should be taken to discourage
law breakers.
Description:
Seasonal and regional variation of the physicochemical and bacteriological characteristics of 180 water samples
collected from five fish landing beaches of Luanda Rombo, Dunga, Marengo, Osieko and Usoma in the Lake Victoria
Basin of Kenya was investigated. Colour, chloride, TSS, TDS, zinc, mercury and nitrates were all below the maximum
permissible but other parameters were above limits. Pathogenic bacteria isolated were Escherichea coli (69.6%),
Salmonella spp (18.5%), Shigella spp (6.5%) and Vibrio cholerae (5.4%). Dunga site was the most polluted and that
water from catchment areas closer to urban areas was more contaminated. Seasonal variation showed that pH, colour,
turbidity, TSS, BOD, phosphate, nitrates and coliforms were significantly high (p<0.001) in the wet season. In the dry
season temperature, EC, TDS, heavy metals, chloride and ammonia were significantly high (p<0.001). The high level
of pollutants in wet season was due to storm water run offs carrying a higher load of contaminants while in dry season
it is likely due to the increased solubility of ions as a consequence of the elevated water temperature and low pH. High
loads of contaminants in water could pose immediate and long term public health concerns to unsuspecting water users
especially due to the pathogenic coliforms, nutrients, algae and heavy metals. Therefore, proper policies regarding
protection of the Lake Victoria environmental integrity are required and stiff measures should be taken to discourage
law breakers.