Physico-Chemical and Biological Properties of Water along Mutonga River in Eastern Kenya
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Date
2024-11
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Levels of chemical, biological and physical parameters provide information on quality
of water. Human activities together with natural processes affect the level of water
parameters. River Mutonga is a trans-boundary river traversing tea, irrigation and semi arid regions as well as quarry sites. These activities may lead to introduction of
pollutants that may change the levels of water parameters. Water from this river is used
for household and irrigation activities and also by animals. This study’s aim was to
investigate the levels of parameters in water and sediment samples collected along the
river in the dry and wet seasons. The levels of pH, Electrical conductivity (EC) turbidity
and temperature were measured using corresponding portable meters. Levels of Total
dissolved solids (TDS) and Total suspended solids (TSS) were determined using
standard procedures by APHA. Levels of metals were investigated using AAS
spectrometry, while nitrates and phosphates were measured using UV-VIS procedures.
The results were statistically analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis and ANOVA tests to
determine significant differences in parameters by sites and seasons. In water, mean
ranges of parameters in the two seasons were: pH: 5.67±0.00 - 7.74±0.16, Temperature:
13.50±0.10 - 26.60±0.10, EC: 0.13±0.06 - 93.50±0.10, Turbidity: 14.89±2.18 -
1000±0.67, TSS: 38.83±3.21 - 100.33±17.77, TDS: 29.33±33.33 - 444.00±287.52, Pb:
0.00 - 0.28±0.02. Cd ranged from 0.00 - 0.003±0.00, Fe:
0.27±0.02 - 7.65±0.13, Mn:
0.00 - 2.22±0.06, NO3
-
: 0.49±0.00 - 4.89±0.06, PO4
3-
: 0.24±0.00 - 3.83±0.00. In
sediments ranges were Pb:
13.82±5.67 - 32.33±11.02, Cd 0.00 - 0.816±13.38 while Fe
ranged from 9.12.58±32.08 - 46770.83±938.19. Mn ranged from 249.92 ±15.25 -
816.16025±13.38, NO3
-
:1.95±0.00 - 4.99±0.01 while PO4
3-
ranged from 0.22±0.00 -
0.816±13.38. Total and fecal coliform ranges were 41.53 - 467.33 cfu and 7.86 -
150.019 cfu respectively. There are significant differences in levels of physical
parameters between seasons and among sites except TSS. The chemical parameters in
water and sediments vary significantly among sites except lead in sediments and all
vary between seasons apart from phosphates in water and nitrates in sediments.
Biological parameters differ significantly between seasons and among sites. Levels of
turbidity, TSS, lead, iron and coliform bacteria are above WHO permissible limits. The
high levels suggest that the river water is polluted.
Description
A Research Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements tor the Award of the Degree of Master of Science (Chemistry) In the School of Pure and Applied Sciences of Kenyatta University November, 2024
Supervisors:
1. Hudson Nyambaka
2. Joel M. Gichumbi