Browsing by Author "Kayombo, Mary"

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    Assessment of chemical and microbial quality of vegetables irrigated with polluted waters in Dar es Salaam city
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 2015) Kayombo, Mary
    The study was undertaken to determine the chemical and microbial quality of fresh vegetables irrigated with polluted waters in Dar es Salaam City. Physio-chemical, chemical including heavy metals and microbial parameters for water quality as well as the vegetables were examined. The Institutional arrangement of the organizations concerned with environment and sanitation management was evaluated to find out whether the institutional framework was key factor for the success or failure of safe vegetable farming in the city. Samples of water were taken from seven different locations along river Msimbazi and its tributary (Ubungo river) with a total distance of 20.4 Km from Pugu to Jangwani. Vegetable samples of 5 different species were taken from two different farms in different locations along Msimbazi river valley and its tributary (Ubungo river), and from six markets including selected super market. The analysis of samples was done in accordance to standard procedures. Results revealed that, water from the river that is used for irrigation is polluted. Vegetables from both, farms and markets were detected to have Cu, Zn and Pb with the highest values of 219.43, 67 and 195.706 (mg/kg)- dry weight, respectively (which is beyond Tanzanian and WHO maximum permissible limits) Faecal coliforms were found in all the sampling stations with a maximum count of (2.1x106 CFU /100ml) and vegetables 108 CFU/kg-wet. Diseases causing organisms were on vegetables and all samples examined had helminthes eggs (AscarisLumblicoides) except for the sample from Pugu station. The study concluded that water used for irrigating vegetables along river Msimbazi is highly polluted and vegetables from farms and markets are not safe to consume.