Browsing by Author "Makoti, Clavery Atiianas"

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Assessment of uranium levels in selected soils and its uptake by rice, maize and millet in Bahi district, Tanzania
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2014) Makoti, Clavery Atiianas
This research aimed to determine levels of uranium (U) contamination in selected agricultural soils of Bahi District and its uptake by food crops in order to enhance public awareness and safety. The research involved determination of spatial distribution of U in agricultural soils, its uptake and translocation in plant/crop tissues. Soil, plant and water samples were collected randomly from farmers' fields and water sources, respectively. Laboratory sample analysis was done at the Government Chief Chemist Laboratory in Dar es Salaam and Soil Science Laboratory at the Sokoine University of Agriculture. Substantial differences of U concentrations in soils, plants and water were determined. The highest U level in soil profiles was 74.8 pg kg’1 at Mpamantwa and the lowest was18.3 pg kg’1 at Hindi. Along the studied transects, the highest U level was 743 pg kg’1 at Bahi and lowest was 13.6 pg kg’1 at Hindi. Uranium concentrations in maize and rice were below detectable limit (<10 pg L"1) except for finger millet where U accumulation levels ranged from 10.4 to 32.0 pg kg‘l. The concentration of U in water differed from village tovillage. The highest U level of 1233 pg L’1 was found in Hindi village at Hindi Playa Lake whereas in Bahi the highest U concentration was 62.9 pg L’1 found in one of the Bubu tributaries under the bridge. The concentrations of U in water in Hindi and Bahi villages were more than 30 pg L’1 the tolerable limit set by WHO for human and animal consumption. The levels of U in soils and crops were within the tolerable limit for agricultural use and the environment. Further studies should be carried out for other types of crops that are grown in the Bahi District villages to assess their safety for human consumption.