Study of nitrogen and heavy metals contamination in Geita district and possible mitigation measures.

Abdul, Abdallah

Study of nitrogen and heavy metals contamination in Geita district and possible mitigation measures.

Date

2008

Authors

Abdul, Abdallah

Publisher

University of Dar es Salaam

Abstract

Geita wetland is located downstream of both artisanal gold mining activities carried out by local communities and a modern large-scale goldmine, each operating to a distinct drainage line. Recent study carried out in Geita wetland by the Lake Victoria Environmental Management Project (LVEMP) revealed a remarkable amount of heavy metals (Hg, Cu and Ni) in Mtakuja and Mabubi rivers. The study also discovered that agricultural and domestic activities in the wetland have introduced high amount of nutrients in the rivers. Using existing data from LVEMP and others obtained during field work of this study, a river water quality model (DUFLOW) for Mabubi River is developed. With the support of the results from DUFLOW model, this study will analyze nitrogen and heavy metals pollution levels in Mabubi and Mtakuja rivers and its variations during wet and dry periods and between upstream and downstream locations. It is anticipated that the information from the water quality model will help water quality managers to develop managerial tools and guidelines and also provide an improved understanding of the impact caused by human development activities such as agricultural and mining to the water quality of these rivers and others of the similar nature. The results of simulation show that DUFLOW model perform fairly better on the heavy metals as small discrepancies may be due to limited data and short sampling periods.

Description

Available in print form, East Africana Collection, Dr. Wilbert Chagula Library, Class mark (THS EAF TD885.5.N5A22)

Keywords

Pollutants, Pollution, Nitrogen, Heavy metals, Mtakuja river, Mabubi river, Tanzania

Citation

Abdul, A(2008) Study of nitrogen and heavy metals contamination in Geita district and possible mitigation measures, Master dissertation, University of Dar es Salaam. Dar es Salaam.