Browsing by Author "Lugomela, George"

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Analysis of Macro- and Microplastics in Riverine, Riverbanks, and Irrigated Farms in Arusha, Tanzania
(Springer Nature Switzerland AG., 2021-11-16) Kundu, Mercy; Komakech, Hans; Lugomela, George
Microplastics and macroplastics have been reported in different urban rivers and agricultural soil across the globe. However, the interlink between them has not been previously assessed. The present study evaluated the relationship between macro- and microplastics in the surface water and sediments in riverine, riverbanks, and soils from irrigated farms in Arusha, Tanzania. Detached pieces from macroplastics and suspected particles of microplastics from the samples were analyzed using the total attenuated reflectance–Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Statistical analysis showed that the number of microplastics in the sediments was higher than those in the surface water and that in irrigated farms was of four times higher than those found in riverine. Besides, the numbers of microplastics and macroplastics in the irrigation farms were exponentially related, while the macroplastics from the riverbanks had an inverse relationship with the rivers' profile elevation. Macroplastics of polyethylene type dominated in the riverbanks and irrigated farms with an occurrence frequency of 100%, while polystyrene was abundant in all analyzed microplastics samples. In addition, those irrigation farms adjacent to canals had a significant number of microplastics and macroplastics than the distant farms. This study provides new information for the region and others that divert water from an urban river for irrigation.
Hydrogeochemical characteristics and spatial distribution of groundwater quality in Arusha well fields, Northern Tanzania
(Springer, 2018-07-09) Chacha, Nyamboge; Njau, Karoli; Lugomela, George; Muzuka, Alfred
Arusha aquifers have been exploited intensively serving as the main source of domestic water supply in the city. But the quality of groundwater is not clearly documented for future planning and management. Hydrogeochemical assessment was carried out to establish groundwater quality and its spatial distribution with the aid of geostatistical techniques. Groundwater samples were collected and analyzed for major cations and anions using conventional methods of water analysis. Well lithology and geological map were considered for hydrogeological interpretation of the area. The results of piper diagram revealed Na–K–HCO3 water type with sodium and bicarbonate ions dominating in all samples. High fluoride concentrations and general groundwater chemistry are mainly controlled by aquifer lithology than anthropogenic activities. The levels of anthropogenic pollution indicators such as nitrate, chloride and sulfate in deep wells are generally low and most likely coming from natural sources. The geological sections indicate two potential aquifers (volcanic sediment and weathered/ fractured formation) both yield water containing significant concentration of fluoride. Fluoride concentrations were higher than WHO guidelines (1.5 mg/l) and Tanzanian standards (4.0 mg/l) by 82 and 36% of the analyzed groundwater samples, respectively. The southern part of the study area yields groundwater of better quality for human consumption than northern zones which is at high elevation on the foot of Mt. Meru. With exception of fluoride, the quality of groundwater in the study area is generally suitable for drinking purpose and other socioeconomic uses.