Lake Kyoga, one of the great African lakes in Uganda is facing an increasing pressure from human activities yet there is limited information on water quality of the lake. Therefore this study determined selected physi...Lake Kyoga, one of the great African lakes in Uganda is facing an increasing pressure from human activities yet there is limited information on water quality of the lake. Therefore this study determined selected physico-chemical parameters of Lake Kyoga at some landing sites (Kayei, Acholi inn, Waitumba, Masindi port) and anthropogenic activities (boat dock, waste site, garden, fishing). The parameters included temperature, pH, water flow rate, dissolved oxygen (DO), nitrite (NO2-) and phosphate (PO4-P). The American Public Health Association (APHA) and Water Watch Australia protocols, standard meters, Merck’s rapid test kits and timing of a float were used to measure the parameters. The results showed that the mean temperature, pH, DO, and PO4-P significantly (p 2- levels were within the EPA drinking water guideline of 0.5 mg/l. The orthophosphates (PO4-P) were highest in the waste sites (0.35 mg/l), followed by gardens (0.24 mg/l) and least in the fishing areas (0.12 mg/l). However, phosphates in the form of P2O5 were higher than the EPA standard value (0.5 mg/l) at Kayei (0.55 mg/l) and Acholi inn (0.55 mg/l) landing sites as well as at waste sites (0.80 mg/l) and gardens (0.55 mg/l) pointing to high nutrient (phosphorus) input at these sites. The high concentrations of nitrites in Lake Kyoga at the investigated anthropogenic activities and landing sites plus phosphate amounts close to waste sites and gardens including Kayei and Acholi inn landing sites call for vigilance in protection of Lake Kyoga through optimized planning. Hence, National Environment Management Authority should ensure proper sewage management in Lake Kyoga catchment to avoid discharge of untreated sewage into the lake. The authority should also regulate waste dumping and cultivation around the lake so as to reduce nutrient (phosphorus) enrichment.展开更多
Teso subregion in Eastern Uganda is a leading production hub for citrus in Uganda. However, information on fruit quality profile of the three major varieties (Hamlin, Valencia and Washington navel) grown in this regio...Teso subregion in Eastern Uganda is a leading production hub for citrus in Uganda. However, information on fruit quality profile of the three major varieties (Hamlin, Valencia and Washington navel) grown in this region was limited and/or unreported, partly resulting in their limited use for industrial processing. The current study sought to understand the seasonal quality profile of these varieties during the wet and dry seasons for the years 2019, 2022 and 2023. The study was conducted with farmers in the districts of Kumi, Ngora, Soroti and Kalaki. Mature green oranges were periodically harvested and analysed for physical and chemical properties. The results showed that the quality of oranges varied depending on the season at harvest and the variety with significant differences (p ≤ 0.05). Mean weight per fruit was highest in wet season Washington navel (277.5 g) and lowest in dry season Hamlin (149.3 g). Similarly, fruit size varied in the wet season where Washington navel (81.2 mm) had the biggest fruits while dry season Hamlin were smallest (66.6 mm). Dry season Washington navel had had the thickest peel (7.9 mm). Valencia from the wet season had the highest juice content (36.9%) compared to Washington navel (26.5%) from the dry season with the lowest. Titratable acidity was higher in the dry season Valencia (0.9%) compared to the wet season Washington navel and Hamlin (0.3%). Similarly, Total soluble solids (TSS) was higher in the dry season (Washington navel, 10.1 ˚Brix) in contrast to the wet season (Hamlin and Valencia, 7.7 ˚Brix). Valencia had the lowest pH (3.1) however, pH did not vary significantly between season for each variety except for Hamlin. Vitamin C content was higher during the dry season led by Valencia (57.6 mg/100g) and Hamlin (57.4 mg/100g). Sugar to acid ratio was highest during the wet season (Washington navel, 41.5) and lowest in the dry season (Valencia, 17.1). Overall, dry season fruits and more especially Valencia showed versatility in meeting most of the quality requirements for both industrial juice processing and the fresh market. However, there is need to improve the available orange varieties with regard to juice content and optimal sugar: acid ratio regardless of season.展开更多
文摘Lake Kyoga, one of the great African lakes in Uganda is facing an increasing pressure from human activities yet there is limited information on water quality of the lake. Therefore this study determined selected physico-chemical parameters of Lake Kyoga at some landing sites (Kayei, Acholi inn, Waitumba, Masindi port) and anthropogenic activities (boat dock, waste site, garden, fishing). The parameters included temperature, pH, water flow rate, dissolved oxygen (DO), nitrite (NO2-) and phosphate (PO4-P). The American Public Health Association (APHA) and Water Watch Australia protocols, standard meters, Merck’s rapid test kits and timing of a float were used to measure the parameters. The results showed that the mean temperature, pH, DO, and PO4-P significantly (p 2- levels were within the EPA drinking water guideline of 0.5 mg/l. The orthophosphates (PO4-P) were highest in the waste sites (0.35 mg/l), followed by gardens (0.24 mg/l) and least in the fishing areas (0.12 mg/l). However, phosphates in the form of P2O5 were higher than the EPA standard value (0.5 mg/l) at Kayei (0.55 mg/l) and Acholi inn (0.55 mg/l) landing sites as well as at waste sites (0.80 mg/l) and gardens (0.55 mg/l) pointing to high nutrient (phosphorus) input at these sites. The high concentrations of nitrites in Lake Kyoga at the investigated anthropogenic activities and landing sites plus phosphate amounts close to waste sites and gardens including Kayei and Acholi inn landing sites call for vigilance in protection of Lake Kyoga through optimized planning. Hence, National Environment Management Authority should ensure proper sewage management in Lake Kyoga catchment to avoid discharge of untreated sewage into the lake. The authority should also regulate waste dumping and cultivation around the lake so as to reduce nutrient (phosphorus) enrichment.
文摘Teso subregion in Eastern Uganda is a leading production hub for citrus in Uganda. However, information on fruit quality profile of the three major varieties (Hamlin, Valencia and Washington navel) grown in this region was limited and/or unreported, partly resulting in their limited use for industrial processing. The current study sought to understand the seasonal quality profile of these varieties during the wet and dry seasons for the years 2019, 2022 and 2023. The study was conducted with farmers in the districts of Kumi, Ngora, Soroti and Kalaki. Mature green oranges were periodically harvested and analysed for physical and chemical properties. The results showed that the quality of oranges varied depending on the season at harvest and the variety with significant differences (p ≤ 0.05). Mean weight per fruit was highest in wet season Washington navel (277.5 g) and lowest in dry season Hamlin (149.3 g). Similarly, fruit size varied in the wet season where Washington navel (81.2 mm) had the biggest fruits while dry season Hamlin were smallest (66.6 mm). Dry season Washington navel had had the thickest peel (7.9 mm). Valencia from the wet season had the highest juice content (36.9%) compared to Washington navel (26.5%) from the dry season with the lowest. Titratable acidity was higher in the dry season Valencia (0.9%) compared to the wet season Washington navel and Hamlin (0.3%). Similarly, Total soluble solids (TSS) was higher in the dry season (Washington navel, 10.1 ˚Brix) in contrast to the wet season (Hamlin and Valencia, 7.7 ˚Brix). Valencia had the lowest pH (3.1) however, pH did not vary significantly between season for each variety except for Hamlin. Vitamin C content was higher during the dry season led by Valencia (57.6 mg/100g) and Hamlin (57.4 mg/100g). Sugar to acid ratio was highest during the wet season (Washington navel, 41.5) and lowest in the dry season (Valencia, 17.1). Overall, dry season fruits and more especially Valencia showed versatility in meeting most of the quality requirements for both industrial juice processing and the fresh market. However, there is need to improve the available orange varieties with regard to juice content and optimal sugar: acid ratio regardless of season.
