Variation in the Chemical Status of Water and Soil Sediments along Saiwa Swamp Ecosystem, Trans Nzoia County, Kenya

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Ruto, W.S.K. | Kinyamario, J.I.^{; *} | Kanya, J.I. | Ng’etich, N.K.

Affiliations: School of Biological Sciences, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 30197-00100, Nairobi, Kenya

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding Author. [email protected]

Abstract: Saiwa Swamp National Park in west-northern Kenya presents a typical wetland, and is habitat to the rare sitatunga antelope (Tragelaphus spekei). The swamp is surrounded by farms making it an ecological island, thus threatening the very existence of this wetland. Agrochemicals released from these farms are channelled into the swamp and thus affecting its physico-chemical status. This study compared the chemistry of water and soil sediments at specific sites along the swamp gradient during the rainy season. pH of surface waters was nearly neutral (mean of 7.0) during the entire study period while that of the soil sediments was acidic (4.6 to 5.0). Elements Ca, Mg and Fe recorded higher concentrations in dry season compared to the wet season. Other elements including Cu, Mn and Zn were not detected in surface water during the dry season. There was an increase in concentrations of Cu and Mn in the swamp waters during the wet season. The findings of the study showed a large percentage of the nutrients removed from the subsurface water in filtering contaminants.

Keywords: Riparian, sitatunga, chemical status, Saiwa Swamp National Park

DOI: 10.3233/AJW-170022

Journal: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution, vol. 14, no. 3, pp. 19-26, 2017