Browsing by Author "Lalika Makarius Christian"

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Assessment of heavy metal contamination in urban tributaries draining into Lake Victoria at Musoma and Tarime Towns, Tanzania
(Water Institute, 2025-11-20) Chugu Emmanuel Efrass; Nyangi Magori Jackson; Lalika Makarius Christian
Water contamination by heavy metals poses serious environmental and public health threats, particularly in urban and agricultural regions where human activities intensify pollution. This study aimed to determine the levels of heavy metal contamination in urban tributaries along Musoma and Tarime towns to safeguard aquatic ecology and public health. Seventy- eight water samples were collected from twenty-six strategically selected sites across the two urban areas. Physicochemical parameters (pH, EC, TDS, turbidity, and temperature) were analyzed on-site using the potentiometric method, while heavy metals (Hg, As, Cr, Pb, Cd, Zn, and Cu) were determined using ICP–OES. Results showed wide spatial variations with pH (7.3–8.94), EC (94–3900 μS/cm), TDS (56–2360 mg/L), turbidity (9.4–2098 NTU), and temperature (22.4–27.8 °C). Metal concentrations ranged from Pb (0.005–0.082 mg/L), Cd (0.002–0.019 mg/L), Cr (0.004–0.021 mg/L), As (0.0003–0.001 mg/L), Cu (0.006–0.118 mg/L), Zn (0.032–0.264 mg/L), and Hg (0.0001–0.0004 mg/L). Pb and Cd Concentrations exceeded WHO drinking water limits, suggesting contamination from mining and domestic discharges. Overall, findings reveal moderate but spatially variable contamination, highlighting the need for continuous monitoring, stricter pollution control, effective remediation to protect water quality in the Lake Victoria Basin.
Unlocking the quantity of dioscorea hirtiflora harvested in Lindi and Mtwara Regions, Tanzania
(John Wiley and Sons (Wiley), 2025-11-11) Boniphace Magdaline Konk; Lalika Makarius Christian; Nyamoga Greyson Zabron
This study focused on quantifying the amount of Dioscorea hirtiflora harvested in Lindi and Mtwara regions, Tanzania. Specifically, the study aimed at identifying key stakeholders engaged in the Dioscorea hirtiflora collection, consumption, and trading in the study area, to quantify the amount of Dioscorea hirtiflora collected, consumed, and traded in the study area, and to estimate the income generated through Dioscorea hirtiflora marketing in the study area. The study used a sample size of 160 respondents selected randomly from Mnamba, Madangwa, Hingawali, Nachunyu, Mkunwa, Dihimba, Namayanga, and Pachoto B villages. A structured questionnaire was administered for primary data collection. Secondary data were collected from the District Forest and Agricultural Offices. Data were analysed using R software, version 4.5.0. Qualitative and quantitative variables were analysed. The value of Dioscorea hirtiflora was obtained by multiplying the average market price of each product by its quantity. The average quantity of 1342.109 kg in Lindi and 1732.667 Kg in Mtwara of Dioscorea hirtiflora was collected by the selected households. From the sample of 160, it was estimated that the community earned about (TZS 1,884 275.36) in Mtwara and (TZS1,476,319.9 in Lindi. The study recommends that the government should recognise Dioscorea hirtiflora business in the national income statistics.