Browsing by Author "Kipkoech, Nathan Kipsang"

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    Analysis of selected toxic metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the Molo river water basin, Kenya
    (Egerton University, 2025) Kipkoech, Nathan Kipsang
    Water quality is affected by the concentration of heavy metals, cations, anions, microbes, and organic compounds, which when present outside concentrations recommended by guideline values provided by regulatory bodies like world health organization (WHO) and European commission (EC), the water is deemed polluted. These pollutants in water bodies are associated with several health impacts on humans and aquatic organisms, such as effects on reproductive health, respiratory system, cardiovascular system and cancers. Using simple random sampling technique based on altitude and excluding the biological parameters and pays attention to the physical and chemical parameters by determining the concentration of some selected anions, cations, heavy metals, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the Molo River water basin in Nakuru County. The water basin serves the people of Nakuru and Baringo Counties residing along Molo river water basin. The Nakuru — Eldoret highway passes through the basin with several vehicle accidents reported around Salgaa and the Sachangwan areas along the highway which has led to monumental oil spills, considered precursors for olefins and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the water basin. Agricultural activities including thriving flower farms, weathering and timber treatment in the basin are exposing the basin to pollution impacts resulting from organic contaminants and heavy metals. PAHs were extracted and analysed using Gas chromatograph (GC-MS), heavy metals analysed using atomic absorption (AAS), whereas sediment morphology was determined using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The data generated for physical and heavy metals were used to calculate WQI and WPI which gave a single dimensionless numbers for overall water quality and pollution status. The average WQI obtained was 57.47 indicating that the water is slightly polluted. Also the average WPI obtained was 0.77 indicating that the water from the water basin is not of good quality. Sediment morphology and composition showed the presence of heavy metal pollutants of concern which include lead, manganese and copper. With respect to PAHs, cumulative unsubstituted PAHs Z13 = 2l6.5li0.5l ppm, Substituted PAHs Z21 = l38.34i0.88 ppm, Hetero- atomic Z14 = 23.86i0.35 ppm, and a total PAH load of 378.7li 1.08 ppm. The detected PAHs had calculated total BaP-TEQ of 5. l4 ppm. These PAHs reported included six (6) PAHs listed in the 16 priority pollutants which include acenaphthene, fluorine, fluoranthene, pyrene, chrysene and bezo[a]pyrene. This indicates the need for formulating policies to mitigate contamination in the basin frequent monitoring to provide timely status of contamination.