Spatial and temporal variations of phytoplankton composition and biomass in Lake Bunyonyi, South-Western Uganda.

The purpose of this study was to examine the spatial and temporal variations of phytoplankton species composition and biomass in Lake Bunyonyi, South-Western Uganda. Samples were collected monthly from nine fixed stations in the lake from October 2019 to September 2020. Based on the morphological characterization, 52 different species of phytoplankton were recorded.

Assessment of Ecological Risk of Heavy Metals Using Probabilistic Risk Assessment Model (AQUARISK) in Surface Sediments from Wami Estuary, Tanzania.

Total concentrations of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn in sediment samples obtained from Wami Estuary in Tanzania were used to generate contaminant probability density distributions and species sensitivity distributions using the AQUARISK model. Results of tier 1 assessment showed that As, Cd, Cr, Pb, and Zn were not of concern as their measured values and the 99 percentile of the fitted distributions were lower than the SQG low-trigger values. However, Cu was identified as of concern in this estuary.

Spatial and temporal variations of faecal indicator bacteria in Lake Bunyonyi, South-Western Uganda.

Microbial water quality serves to indicate health risks associated with the consumption of contaminated water. Nevertheless, little is known about the microbiological characteristics of water in Lake Bunyonyi. This study was therefore undertaken to examine the spatial and temporal variations of faecal indicator bacteria (FIB) in relation to physicochemical parameters in Lake Bunyonyi.

Differences in trophic resources and niches of two juvenile predatory species in three Pangani estuarine zones, Tanzania: stomach contents and stable isotope approaches.

Background: Estuaries are primary habitats that serve as feeding and nursery grounds for most juvenile marine fish. However, estuaries have been used as fishing grounds by the artisanal fishers in Tanzania. The slow-growing predatory fish at juvenile and sub-adult stages are among the most frequently caught species that functionally enhance multiple linkages of energy pathways within the food web.

Temporal and spatial distribution of trace metals in the Rufiji delta mangrove, Tanzania.

Spatial and temporal distribution of trace metals and their cycling is a key issue for understanding the ongoing biogeochemical processes in coastal environments. Sediment cores were collected from six different sampling locations from the Rufiji delta mangrove forests in southeastern coastal Tanzania that are perceived to be impacted by urban development and agricultural activities in the catchment, and pollution in upstream sections of the Rufiji River. The chronology and sediment accumulation rates at these sampling sites were derived based on the distribution of Pb method.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) contamination of surface sediments and oysters from the inter-tidal areas of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Surface sediment and oyster samples from the inter-tidal areas of Dar es Salaam were analyzed for 23 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) including the 16 compounds prioritized by US-EPA using GC/MS. The total concentration of PAHs in the sediment ranged from 78 to 25,000 ng/g dry weight, while oyster concentrations ranged from 170 to 650 ng/g dry weight. Hazards due to sediment contamination were assessed using Equilibrium Partitioning Sediment Benchmarks and Threshold Effect Levels.

Metals in Nile perch (Lates niloticus) and suspended particulate matter from Lake Victoria, Tanzania.

A study was conducted to assess the levels of pollutant metals in suspended particulate matter and Nile perch from Lake Victoria. The metals in particulate matter were determined to ascertain their concentrations at the base of the food chain. Nile perch samples were collected in September 2003 from five major fish processing factories at the shores of Lake Victoria in Mwanza and Musoma.