Faculty of Science (FSC)

Permanent URI for this collection

http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12493/50

Browse

Browsing Faculty of Science (FSC) by Author "Alex, Saturday"

Now showing 1 - 5 of 5
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Analysis of Bacteriological Quality of Domestic Water Sources in Kabale Municipality, Western Uganda
    (Scientific Research Publishing Inc., 2019) Alex, Saturday; Johnson, Runyonyozi
    In the present study, we assessed the bacteriological quality of water of drinking water sources in Kabale Municipality. A total of 28 water samples were collected from 14 water springs during the dry and wet season and analyzed for determination of Escherichia coli (E. coli), and Total Heterotrophic Bacteria (THB) using the membrane filtration method. Most water springs located in less than 20 meters away from residential areas were associated with bacterial contamination. The mean concentrations of E. coli, total coliforms, and THB were 24.07 CFU/100 ml, 85.71 CFU/100 ml, and 197.07 CFU/100 ml, respectively in the wet season. While in the dry season, the mean concentrations were 2 CFU/100 ml, 10 CFU/100 ml, and 91 CFU/100 ml for E. coli , total coliforms, and THB, respectively. There were significant differences between CFU of total coliforms, HTB, between wet and dry seasons (p = 0.026). Samples collected and analyzed during the wet season for total coliforms did not conform to WHO drinking water quality guideline value of no detection per 100 ml. The study concludes that the majority of spring water sources are located in less than 20 meters away from residential areas with significant paved areas, the presence of septic tanks and pit latrines. Wet season significantly affects the quality of domestic water sources than the dry season. The study recommends that spring water should be treated before drinking due to high bacteria concentrations which makes it unsafe for consumption.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Household Water Treatment Technologies for Microbial Removal in Kabale District, Southwestern Uganda
    (OMMEGA Publishers, 2016) Alex, Saturday; George Lukoye Makokha; Anthony Macharia
    Health problems associated with the consumption of untreated drinking water is one of the greatest concerns in Kabale District in spite of government’s efforts to provide safe drinking water to the people. The objective of the study was to examine household water treatment technologies (HWTS) and evaluate their ability to improve the microbial quality of drinking water. We analyzed 20 paired samples (source and treated) of drinking water from four sources of drinking water in close proximity to homesteads. Samples were analyzed for total coliforms and Escherichia coli, the indicators of faecal contamination, to measure effectiveness of HWTS. The parameters were determined using membrane filtration method. Laboratory data was statistically analyzed using one way ANOVA from SPSS software version 17.0. All HWTS improved the microbial quality of drinking water under laboratory conditions. Mean log10 total coliforms reductions were 2 log10 (99.5%) for boiling, 0.9 log10 (84.8%) for biosand filtration, 1.9 log10 (99.5%) for application of Water Guard tablets and 2 log10 (98.1%) for application of aqua safe tablets. The mean log10 Escherichia coli reductions were 1.2 log10 (100%) for boiling, bio sand filtration, application of Water Guard tablets and application of aqua safe tablets. The microbial removal effectiveness of HWTS was significantly high and the differences in the mean total coliforms reductions by different HWTS were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Water Guard, bio sand filtration, boiling and aqua safe tablets significantly remove total coliforms and Escherichia coli and should therefore is promoted at local level.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Mercury and its Associated Impacts on Environment and Human Health: A Review
    (Omega Publishers, 2018) Alex, Saturday
    Mercury exists naturally and as a man-made contaminant. The release of processed mercury can lead to a progressive increase in the amount of atmospheric mercury, which enters the atmospheric-soil-water distribution cycles where it can remain in circulation for years. Mercury poisoning is the result of exposure to mercury or its compounds resulting in various toxic effects depending on its chemical form and route of exposure. The major route of human exposure to methylmercury (MeHg) is largely through eating contaminated fish, seafood, and wildlife which have been exposed to mercury through ingestion of contaminated lower organisms. MeHg toxicity is associated with nervous system damage in adults and impaired neurological development in infants and children. Ingested mercury may undergo bioaccumulation leading to progressive increases in body burdens. Mercury has profound neurological, endocrine, reproductive, and fetotoxicity effects. Although most countries recognize the need to combat mercury pollution, controls are either nonexistence or inadequate. Based on articles reviewed, we recommend community education on need for a reduction in use of products that contain mercury. Dentists should reduce or eliminate the use of mercury amalgam and use pre-encapsulated amalgam instead of mixing their own if they are to continue using amalgam. Environment management agencies should expand existing national research on environmental and health effects of mercury.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Performance of Household Water Treatment Methods for Microbial Removal under Household Conditions in Kabale District, Uganda
    (Omega Publishers, 2016) Alex, Saturday; George Lukoye Makokha; Anthony Macharia
    Despite the Ugandan government efforts to improve access to safe water sources, the rate at which diseases spread as a result of unsafe drinking water is absolutely high. The purpose the study was to assess the performance of household water treatment methods (HWT) and evaluate their ability to improve the microbial quality of drinking water under household conditions in Kabale District. We randomly selected 205 households, where we collected treated and untreated water samples. We analyzed 46 paired samples (untreated and treated) of drinking water from 46 households that reported treated water available. Samples were analyzed for total coliforms and Escherichia coli, the major indicators of biological contamination of drinking water, to measure effectiveness of treatment under household conditions. All reported HWT did not significantly improve the microbial quality of drinking water. Mean log10 total coliforms removal were 0.7 log10 (40.1%) for boiling method, 0.2 log10 (23.7%) for biosand filtration method, -0.01log10 (-18.1%) for let it stand and settle method and 0.1 log10 (16%) for application of aqua safe tablets. In addition, mean log10 Escherichia coli removal were 0.7 log10 (-22.6) for boiling method, 0.3log10 (37.5%) for biosand filtration method, -0.4 log10 (-200%) for let it stand and settle method and 0.6 log10 (50%) for application of aqua safe. The microbiological quality of stored treated drinking water was significantly low. The government should sensitize the local people on safe storage of drinking water.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Restoration of Degraded Agricultural Land
    (Ommega Publishers, 2018-09-26) Alex, Saturday
    Restoration of agricultural land is important for sustainability of agriculture and environment. Land is under immense pressure due to ever increasing population thereby ensuing growing demand for food, fiber and shelter. Agricultural land is being deteriorated due to different anthropogenic and natural factors. The basic factors causing soil erosion- induced degradation are wind and water erosion. Acidification, compaction and salinization are some other causes of agricultural land degradation. The main causes of erosion on agricultural land are intensive cultivation, overgrazing, poor management of arable soils and deforestation. Restoration of eroded agricultural land is achieved through several agronomic and biological techniques. Crop rotations, agro-forestry, reduced tillage, cover crops, vegetative filter strips, residue, and no-till are important among these. Biological measures such as buffers, conditioner application in direct contact with the soil surface, crop residues using manure protect the soil from erosion. Restoration of saline agricultural land can be achieved through recharge stabilization and reconstruction of saline land through fencing, retain remnant vegetation, revegetation, runoff interception earthworks, and water table lowering.