About the RUFORUM 2010 Biennal Conference
"The 2010 RUFORUM Biennial Conference was the second in the series. The main objective of the Biennial conferences is to provide a platform for agricultural research for development stakeholders in Africa and beyond to actively exchange findings and experiences, while at the same time learning lessons towards improving performance of the agricultural sector and ultimately people’s livelihoods. The biennial conference is RUFORUM’s most comprehensive meeting for the diversity of stakeholders in agriculture. It is especially dedicated to graduate students and their supervisors, grantees in RUFORUM member universities and alumni. It is a platform for peer review, quality control, mentorship, networking and shared learning. This record contains an extended abstract accepted under the theme of Natural Resource Management"
Assessment of water quality in Mohale dam and associated rivers in Lesotho
Abstract:
The study assessed Mohale dam and the associated rivers’ water
quality over 5 years and comparing it to the water quality
standards. It was believed that since this dam and the rivers
occurred at elevations of between 2000m and 2900m above
sea level, there was minimal anthropogenic pollution. Monthly
data of the dam and the rivers water quality for the period
2003-2008 on pH, electrical conductivity (EC), potassium (K),
sodium (Na), calcium (Ca), magnesium(Mg) and turbidity were
collected from the Lesotho Highlands Authority (LHDA)
database. In 2009 data for base cations (K, Na, Ca and Mg)
and heavy metals (Fe, Cu, Zn, As and Pb) content were
collected. The results showed that during the period 2003-2008,
across sites and years, the pH and mean concentration of base
cations were below the minimum permissible levels (mpl).
However in 2009 Ca concentration had risen to values >200mg/
l while the levels of heavy metals, i.e., Fe, Cu and Zn were still
lower than mpl, those of As and Pb were higher than mpl. The
most important water quality variables differed across sites and,
as such, their close monitoring is required in order to prevent
their likely built up that may pose danger to health of the nation
and associated countries.
L’étude a évalué le barrage de Mohale et la qualité de l’eau
des rivières associées pendant plus de 5 ans et la comparant
aux standards de la qualité de l’eau. On croyait que, comme ce
barrage et les rivières ss situent à une altitude comprise entre
2000m et 2900m au dessus du niveau de la mer, il y avait un
minimum de pollution anthropique. Les données mensuelles du
barrage et de la qualité de l’eau des rivières pour la période
2003-2008 sur le pH, la conductivité électrique (CE), le potassium
(K), sodium (Na), calcium (Ca), magnésium (Mg) et la turbidité
ont été recueillies à partir de la base des données de
l’administration des régions montagneuses de Lesotho (LHDA). En 2009, les données pour les cations basiques (K, Na, Ca et
Mg) et le contenu des métaux lourds (Fe, Cu, Zn, As et Pb) ont
été collectés. Les résultats ont montré que, durant la période
2003-2008, à travers les sites et les années, le pH et la
concentration moyenne de cations basiques ont été inférieurs
aux niveaux minimaux admissibles (MPL). Cependant en 2009
la concentration en Ca avait augmenté à des valeurs> 200 mg /
l tandis que les niveaux de métaux lourds, à savoir, Fe, Cu et Zn
étaient encore inférieurs aux niveaux minimum admissibles
(MPL), ceux de As et Pb ont été plus élevés que MPL. Les
variables les plus importantes de la qualité de l’eau varient selon
les sites et, en tant que tels, leur surveillance étroite est nécessaire
afin d’empêcher leur susceptible accumulation qui peut présenter
un danger pour la santé de la nation et des pays associés.
Language:
English
Date of publication:
2010
Country:
Region Focus:
Southern Africa
University/affiliation:
Collection:
RUFORUM Conferences and Workshops
Agris Subject Categories:
Agrovoc terms:
Additional keywords:
Licence conditions:
Open Access
Access restriction:
Form:
Printed resource
Publisher:
ISSN:
E_ISSN:
Edition:
Extent:
637-640
Notes:
