Water Hyacinth’s Extent and Its Implication on Water Quality in Lake Victoria, Uganda
Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) degrades and obstructs the integrity of freshwater ecosystems. However, little attention has been paid to monitoring water hyacinth’s spatial extent, its determinants, and its effects on water quality in Lake Victoria, Uganda. The specific objectives of this pap...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Hindawi Limited
2023-01-01
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| Series: | The Scientific World Journal |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2023/4947272 |
| _version_ | 1797850581636743168 |
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| author | Hussein Kiyemba Bernard Barasa Joyfred Asaba Paul Makoba Gudoyi Gertrude Akello |
| author_facet | Hussein Kiyemba Bernard Barasa Joyfred Asaba Paul Makoba Gudoyi Gertrude Akello |
| author_sort | Hussein Kiyemba |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) degrades and obstructs the integrity of freshwater ecosystems. However, little attention has been paid to monitoring water hyacinth’s spatial extent, its determinants, and its effects on water quality in Lake Victoria, Uganda. The specific objectives of this paper are to (i) assess the spatial extent and distribution of water hyacinth; (ii) examine the determinants of water hyacinth distribution, and (iii) assess its impact on water quality. High-resolution satellite images (2016–2019) were obtained and used to monitor the spatial extent of the water hyacinth, a household survey was conducted to examine the determinants of the water hyacinth’s extent and patterns while water samples were drawn and analysed for physicochemical properties. Results show that the coverage and distribution of water hyacinth varied over space and time. Water hyacinth coverage primarily increased with a decrease in water surface area. The perceived factors that triggered the water hyacinth spread included the morphology of the Bay, effluent discharge, strong winds, speed of water current, water-level changes, ferry navigation, and construction activities at the shore. Water parameters significantly impacted by hyacinth were pH, TP, BOD, COD, DO, turbidity, and transparency. This study recommends the strict development and implementation of integrated weed control measures, catchment management plans, and point and nonpoint pollution source control. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-09T19:02:40Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-7e94d240f7ae491ba54092f1c7e6c1b2 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1537-744X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-09T19:02:40Z |
| publishDate | 2023-01-01 |
| publisher | Hindawi Limited |
| record_format | Article |
| series | The Scientific World Journal |
| spelling | doaj.art-7e94d240f7ae491ba54092f1c7e6c1b22023-04-08T00:00:03ZengHindawi LimitedThe Scientific World Journal1537-744X2023-01-01202310.1155/2023/4947272Water Hyacinth’s Extent and Its Implication on Water Quality in Lake Victoria, UgandaHussein Kiyemba0Bernard Barasa1Joyfred Asaba2Paul Makoba Gudoyi3Gertrude Akello4Department of GeographyDepartment of GeographyDepartment of GeographyDepartment of GeographyDepartment of GeographyWater hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) degrades and obstructs the integrity of freshwater ecosystems. However, little attention has been paid to monitoring water hyacinth’s spatial extent, its determinants, and its effects on water quality in Lake Victoria, Uganda. The specific objectives of this paper are to (i) assess the spatial extent and distribution of water hyacinth; (ii) examine the determinants of water hyacinth distribution, and (iii) assess its impact on water quality. High-resolution satellite images (2016–2019) were obtained and used to monitor the spatial extent of the water hyacinth, a household survey was conducted to examine the determinants of the water hyacinth’s extent and patterns while water samples were drawn and analysed for physicochemical properties. Results show that the coverage and distribution of water hyacinth varied over space and time. Water hyacinth coverage primarily increased with a decrease in water surface area. The perceived factors that triggered the water hyacinth spread included the morphology of the Bay, effluent discharge, strong winds, speed of water current, water-level changes, ferry navigation, and construction activities at the shore. Water parameters significantly impacted by hyacinth were pH, TP, BOD, COD, DO, turbidity, and transparency. This study recommends the strict development and implementation of integrated weed control measures, catchment management plans, and point and nonpoint pollution source control.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2023/4947272 |
| spellingShingle | Hussein Kiyemba Bernard Barasa Joyfred Asaba Paul Makoba Gudoyi Gertrude Akello Water Hyacinth’s Extent and Its Implication on Water Quality in Lake Victoria, Uganda The Scientific World Journal |
| title | Water Hyacinth’s Extent and Its Implication on Water Quality in Lake Victoria, Uganda |
| title_full | Water Hyacinth’s Extent and Its Implication on Water Quality in Lake Victoria, Uganda |
| title_fullStr | Water Hyacinth’s Extent and Its Implication on Water Quality in Lake Victoria, Uganda |
| title_full_unstemmed | Water Hyacinth’s Extent and Its Implication on Water Quality in Lake Victoria, Uganda |
| title_short | Water Hyacinth’s Extent and Its Implication on Water Quality in Lake Victoria, Uganda |
| title_sort | water hyacinth s extent and its implication on water quality in lake victoria uganda |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2023/4947272 |
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