Theses and Dissertations

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Browsing Theses and Dissertations by Subject "Arua city"

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    Assessment of microplastics in selected rivers, fish, and wastewater from car wash bays in Arua city
    (Muni University, 2025-10-14) Draku, Sydney Emmanuel
    Microplastics (MPs) are increasingly recognised as critical pollutants in freshwater ecosystems, yet data from sub-Saharan urban settings remain limited. This study investigated the occurrence, distribution, and polymer composition of MPs in car wash effluents, receiving river water, and fish in Arua City, Uganda. Five (5) car wash bays and two rivers (Asa and Enyau) were purposively selected. Ten (10) litres of river water, one (1) litre of wastewater, and twenty (20) fish samples were collected and processed via filtration (300–0.45 μm), oxidative digestion, and polymer identification using micro– Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (μFTIR). One-way ANOVA results revealed significantly higher MP concentrations in bays employing jet washing and exhibiting prolonged wastewater retention (F = 133.98, p < 0.05). Fibres and fragments comprised >80% of particles, with dominant polymers being polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and ethylene-based copolymer (EPC). Mean MP levels in both rivers were observed to be in the same range, with spatial heterogeneity linked to local anthropogenic activity. Fish from River Asa showed the highest MP loads, positively correlated with body length (r = 0.714, p = 0.000). Findings position car wash facilities as major sources of microplastics, calling for targeted regulatory and infrastructural interventions, alongside public awareness campaigns and further research to mitigate microplastic pollution in Arua City.
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    Impact of open waste dumping at Ewuata site on the water quality of Adumini stream, Arua city
    (Muni University, 2025-11-10) Egabile, Alfred
    Open waste dumping sites, where waste is deposited without proper treatment, are major sources of land, air and water pollution. One of the most serious effects of open dumpsites is water pollution, as waste leachate seeps in to nearby open water bodies, posing risks to human health, aquatic life. The open waste dumping site at Ewuata in Arua City, is located at only approximately 70 meters from Adumini Stream, and it is likely to pose significant environmental risks due poor waste management practices. This study evaluated the impact of open waste dumping site at Ewuata on the water quality of Adumini stream, with emphasis on physicochemical parameters and macrozoobenthic invertebrates as bio indicators, so as to support Sustainable Development Goal 6 for clean water and sanitation. The objectives of this study were to characterize solid wastes, analyze leachate and stream physicochemical parameters (pH, TDS, EC, DO, COD, BOD, Pb, Cr and Cd), and assess biological water quality using the Biological Monitoring Working Party (BMWP) score and Average Score Per Taxon (ASPT). An experimental design was employed. For characterization of solid wastes, 200 kg of solid wastesfrom 10 trucks were randomly sampled, sorted into categories (organic, plastics, metals, glass, fabrics) per ASTM (1998) standards. The physical parameters were analyzed on site whereas, COD, BOD, and heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Cr) were analyzed in the laboratory. Stream water samples were collected from three sites upstream (S1), near-dumpsite (S2) and downstream (S3). Macrozoobenthic invertebrates were sampled using the kick sampling method (ISO, 2012), and were identified to family level, and scored using BMWP and ASPT. Data were analyzed using ANOVA, followed by Tukey’s post hoc and Pearson’s correlation at a 95% confidence interval with SPSS version 20. Results showed that, solid waste was predominantly organic, followed by plastics, with minimal glass and metals. Leachate showed high pollution as parameters such as EC, COD, BOD Cd exceeded WHO standards. Water quality at the S1, S2 and S3 varied significantly, Pb and Cr were below detection limits. BMWP scores indicated good water quality at S1 (62), poor water quality at S2 (12) and S3 (25), with ASPT values of 5.6, 3, and 4.2, respectively, reflecting pollution-tolerant taxa dominance at S2. The leachate had significantly impacted the water quality, posing threat to aquatic ecosystems and community health. There is need for increased solid waste recycling and sorting before dumping, implementation controlled landfills for enhanced waste management practices and need to carry out detailed study on the seasonal variation of the physicochemical parameters of the stream
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    Spatial distribution of cuscuta spp. and its effect on citrus limon L. fruits quality in Arua city
    (Muni University, 2025-10-03) Amandi, Anthony
    Globally, fruit production including lemon fruits is threatened by the rapid proliferation of Cuscuta spp also known as golden dodder, an invasive weed, which aggressively attacks trees, leading to visible host weakening, reduced fruiting, and in severe cases, host mortality. The study assessed the spatial distribution of golden dodder and its effects on lemon (Citrus limon L.) fruit quality. The study employed a quantitative approach for data collection, combining a descriptive survey to map infestation patterns with a comparative experimental design to evaluate the parasite's physiological effect. Geospatial data on golden dodder prevalence and severity were collected through field observations and analyzed using QGIS 3.38.0 to generate distribution maps. For the comparative analysis, lemon trees infested with golden dodder and non-infested trees were randomly sampled. From each tree, fruits were picked and randomly selected. These fruits were analyzed for weight and nutritional components (Vitamin C and sugar contents) using standard laboratory procedures. Data were statistically analyzed using XLSTAT and R version 4. Results revealed that, central division followed by Ayivu West were the most severely infested by golden dodder. Infestation covered a wide range of host plants, including trees, shrubs, and herbs; with the most heavily infested by golden dodder fruit trees being mangoes, followed by lemon trees. A comparison of weights of lemon fruits from golden dodder-infested lemons trees was significantly lower (p < 0.0001) than that from dodder non-infested lemon trees. Tested sugars and Vitamin C concentrations were significantly lower in the lemon fruits of infested trees than those from non-infested trees (p<0.00). Golden dodder infestation in Arua City is unevenly distributed though more in central division and the surrounding suburbs making it a serious problem in Arua city. It directly threatens lemon by significantly lowering their fruit quality and nutritional value. Thus, there is urgent need for well-coordinated management strategies to tackle dodder infestation in Arua City and similar agricultural areas.