Browsing by Author "Chove, L."

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Chemical quality of stream and borehole water used by selected communities in Lushoto district, Tanzania
(An International Journal of Basic and Applied Research, 2020) Hadija, A.; Chove, L.
The chemical quality of water in two streams and three boreholes from Sunga and Mbaru wards in Lushoto, Tanzania was investigated. Water was collected at three locations along the stream, including forest areas, populated area with agricultural activities and less populated areas with agricultural activities. Borehole’s water was collected from three boreholes found in each ward and analyzed for pH, hardness, BOD, phosphates, nitrates by standard methods. Nested design was applied. Data obtained was analyzed by R-Software for ANOVA. Means were separated by Tukey‘s honest at p<0.05. Significant differences (p<0.05) in all chemical parameters (pH: 6.92- 7.34; Hardness; 23.88+64.43;Nitrite 1.73 -19.80; Phosphate 0.58-3.90; Ammonia 0.02-0.08; Lead -0.001-0.002) were observed in locations within the streams except arsenic. DDT was not detected. With the exception of phosphate in both streams, all water samples tested met TZS (2016) standards and WHO (2011) guidelines. This implies that stream water is considered unsafe for use since it exceeded the maximum phosphate limit by TZS (2016). All parameters tested in borehole water met the requirements for both standards except pH and ammonia which exceeded the WHO water guideline. It is recommended that the communities be educated on the best practices to keep water sources safe.
Heavy metal contamination in cocoyam crops and soils in countries around the lake Victoria basin (Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya)
(2020) Mongi, R.; Chove, L.
A study to determine heavy metals concentration and their correlation between soil and cocoyam crops grown at different wetland locations in Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda around Lake Victoria basin was done. A total of 48 cocoyams and 48 soil samples (taken at 0-15 cm deep) were collected in triplicate from various locations in three districts in each country. They were analysed for Mercury (Hg), Arsenic (As), Lead (Pb), Chromium (Cr) and Copper (Cu) concentrations using atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). The mean heavy metals concentration in cocoyam samples were above maximum permissible limits of 0.1 mg/kg for Hg, As and Pb and 5 mg/kg for Cu established by FAO/WHO (1995) and EU (2004; 2006) rendering them unsafe for human consumption. Heavy metals concentrations in soils were higher than in cocoyam samples in all locations in all countries . As and Cr concentrations however, were below the maximum permissible limits of 20 and 75 mg/kg respectively, in all countries. Heavy metals variation occurred both within and among countries, with Kampala, Uganda having significantly (p<0.05) higher values than other locations and countries, respectively. With exception of Pb in Uganda, insignificant correlation (p>0.05) between soil and the corresponding cocoyam crops grown was observed for other metals. Soil and cocoyam crops grown in the selected locations along the wetlands of Lake Victoria basin are contaminated with heavy metals and thus pose health risk to the consumers