Physicochemical and Microbial Quality of Water from the Ugandan Stretch of the Kagera Transboundary River
Increasing global pollution of water resources undermines the efforts invested in the realisation of Sustainable Development Goals. In developing countries, for example, water pollution is exacerbated by poor regulatory structures and improper waste disposal. This study, for the first time, investig...
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MDPI AG
2023-11-01
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| Series: | Limnological Review |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2300-7575/23/3/10 |
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| author | Daniel Nimusiima Denis Byamugisha Timothy Omara Emmanuel Ntambi |
| author_facet | Daniel Nimusiima Denis Byamugisha Timothy Omara Emmanuel Ntambi |
| author_sort | Daniel Nimusiima |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Increasing global pollution of water resources undermines the efforts invested in the realisation of Sustainable Development Goals. In developing countries, for example, water pollution is exacerbated by poor regulatory structures and improper waste disposal. This study, for the first time, investigated the physicochemical and microbial parameters of surface water from the Ugandan stretch of the Kagera transboundary river. Surface water (<i>n</i> = 135) from downstream, midstream and upstream of the river was sampled between February 2021 and June 2021, and analysed following standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater. Further, the samples were analysed using flame atomic absorption spectroscopy for the presence of heavy metals: nickel, lead, chromium, cadmium and copper. The obtained results showed that turbidity (24.77 ± 5.5–43.99 ± 6.87 mg/L), colour (118 ± 8.90–145.2 ± 30.58 Pt-co units), <i>Escherichia coli</i> (4.96 ± 7.01 CFU/100 mL), lead (23.0 ± 11.0–43.0 ± 12.0 µg/L) and cadmium (3.3 ± 1.0–10.1 ± 10.0 µg/L) were at levels that surpassed their permissible limits as per World Health Organization guidelines for potable water. These results are lower than previously reported for the Rwandese stretch of this river, but still present potential health risks to the population whose livelihoods depend on the river. Measures should therefore be instituted by the East African Community member states to mitigate riverine pollution and ensure sustainable use of the Kagera transboundary river. |
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| id | doaj.art-54170ccd9e7d4b90a9803b923b3caf69 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2300-7575 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-07T18:59:22Z |
| publishDate | 2023-11-01 |
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| series | Limnological Review |
| spelling | doaj.art-54170ccd9e7d4b90a9803b923b3caf692024-03-01T18:15:28ZengMDPI AGLimnological Review2300-75752023-11-0123315717610.3390/limnolrev23030010Physicochemical and Microbial Quality of Water from the Ugandan Stretch of the Kagera Transboundary RiverDaniel Nimusiima0Denis Byamugisha1Timothy Omara2Emmanuel Ntambi3Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara P.O. Box 1410, UgandaDepartment of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara P.O. Box 1410, UgandaDepartment of Chemistry and Biochemistry, School of Sciences and Aerospace Studies, Moi University, Eldoret P.O. Box 3900, KenyaDepartment of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara P.O. Box 1410, UgandaIncreasing global pollution of water resources undermines the efforts invested in the realisation of Sustainable Development Goals. In developing countries, for example, water pollution is exacerbated by poor regulatory structures and improper waste disposal. This study, for the first time, investigated the physicochemical and microbial parameters of surface water from the Ugandan stretch of the Kagera transboundary river. Surface water (<i>n</i> = 135) from downstream, midstream and upstream of the river was sampled between February 2021 and June 2021, and analysed following standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater. Further, the samples were analysed using flame atomic absorption spectroscopy for the presence of heavy metals: nickel, lead, chromium, cadmium and copper. The obtained results showed that turbidity (24.77 ± 5.5–43.99 ± 6.87 mg/L), colour (118 ± 8.90–145.2 ± 30.58 Pt-co units), <i>Escherichia coli</i> (4.96 ± 7.01 CFU/100 mL), lead (23.0 ± 11.0–43.0 ± 12.0 µg/L) and cadmium (3.3 ± 1.0–10.1 ± 10.0 µg/L) were at levels that surpassed their permissible limits as per World Health Organization guidelines for potable water. These results are lower than previously reported for the Rwandese stretch of this river, but still present potential health risks to the population whose livelihoods depend on the river. Measures should therefore be instituted by the East African Community member states to mitigate riverine pollution and ensure sustainable use of the Kagera transboundary river.https://www.mdpi.com/2300-7575/23/3/10Akagera RiverLake Victoriapotentially toxic metalssustainabilitywater quality |
| spellingShingle | Daniel Nimusiima Denis Byamugisha Timothy Omara Emmanuel Ntambi Physicochemical and Microbial Quality of Water from the Ugandan Stretch of the Kagera Transboundary River Limnological Review Akagera River Lake Victoria potentially toxic metals sustainability water quality |
| title | Physicochemical and Microbial Quality of Water from the Ugandan Stretch of the Kagera Transboundary River |
| title_full | Physicochemical and Microbial Quality of Water from the Ugandan Stretch of the Kagera Transboundary River |
| title_fullStr | Physicochemical and Microbial Quality of Water from the Ugandan Stretch of the Kagera Transboundary River |
| title_full_unstemmed | Physicochemical and Microbial Quality of Water from the Ugandan Stretch of the Kagera Transboundary River |
| title_short | Physicochemical and Microbial Quality of Water from the Ugandan Stretch of the Kagera Transboundary River |
| title_sort | physicochemical and microbial quality of water from the ugandan stretch of the kagera transboundary river |
| topic | Akagera River Lake Victoria potentially toxic metals sustainability water quality |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2300-7575/23/3/10 |
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