Browsing by Author "Odong, Robinson"
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Item Biological Treatment of Meat Processing Wastewater Using Lab-Scale Anaerobic-Aerobic/Anoxic Sequencing Batch Reactors Operated in Series(Journal of Bioremediation & Biodegradation, 2016) Nzioka Mutua, David; Mwaniki Njagi, Eliud N.; Orinda, George; Obondi, Geoffry; Kansiime, Frank; Kyambadde, Joseph; Omara, John; Odong, Robinson; Butungi, HellenIn the eastern Africa sub-region, many industries discharge untreated effluents to nearby water resources, thereby polluting the environment. This is because the technologies applicable for wastewater treatment are expensive for these small-medium sized companies with low profit margins. Slaughterhouses belong to this category of industrial setup. The objective of this study was to investigate treatment of meat processing wastewater using anaerobic– aerobic/anoxic Sequencing Batch Reactors (SBRs) operated in series. Reactors were operated for one year using meat processing wastewater. Hydraulic retention time was 2 days for the anaerobic SBR, and 1 day for the aerobic/ anoxic SBR while the organic loading was 12.8 kg COD/m3/day. In the anaerobic SBR, removal efficiencies for total and soluble chemical oxygen demand (TCOD and SCOD), total suspended solids (TSS) and turbidity were 79, 76, 79, and 70%, respectively, with effluent mean concentrations of 3554 ± 58 mg/L, 762 ± 3 mg/L, 2307 ± 21, and 2800 ± 9 FAU. Conductivity, ammonia-nitrogen, ortho-phosphates and total phosphorus concentrations increased by 38, 80, 81 and 71%. Pollutant removal efficiencies in the aerobic/anoxic SBR were 98, 96, 97, 89, 74, 97, 91, 90, and 86% for TCOD, SCOD, BOD, TSS, turbidity, ammonium nitrogen (NH4 +–N), total nitrogen (TN), orthophosphorus (o-PO4 3-–P), and total phosphorus (TP), respectively. Except TKN (35 ± 4 mg/L) and o-PO4 3-–P (8 ± 1 mg/L), all other parameters in the aerobically treated effluent met national discharge standards. Thus, abattoir effluent can be treated using anaerobic–aerobic/anoxic SBR system.Item Biotic and abiotic factors in anopheles gambiae breeding habitats as a potential tool to fight Malaria in central Uganda(Journal of Disease and Global Health, 2019) Odong, Robinson; Onen, Hudson; Chemurot, Moses; Kayondo, JonathanThere is a high risk of malaria infection in Uganda due to availability of conducive conditions in breeding habitats of An. gambiae s.l., the vectors for Plasmodium, the causative agent of malaria. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine whether the abundance and distribution of macro-invertebrates and An. gambiae s.l. are influenced by water physico-chemical parameters. Methods: In this study, habitats were classified as ponds, streams, temporary pools and roadside ditches. From these habitats, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, temperature and pH were measured in-situ in the morning and afternoon between October and December 2017. Macro-invertebrates and An. gambiae s.l. larvae were sampled, preserved, morphologically identified and counted. Results: There was a strong association between An. gambiae s.l. with land use, habitat types and water physico-chemical parameters. Baetidae, Coenagrionidae, Aeshnidae, Nepidae, Lymnaeidae and Hirudidae were highly abundant in streams. Notonectidae, Haliplidae and Elmidae were dominant in ponds while Dytiscidae, Culicidae, Chironomidae, Sphaerolichidae and An. gambiae s.l. were abundant in temporary pools. Carabidae were abundant in roadside ditches. Conclusion: Water physico-chemical parameters, land use and habitat types influenced the abundance and distribution of macro-invertebrates including An. gambiae s.l. We recommend that studies should be conducted to establish the mechanisms through which these factors influence abundance and distribution of An. gambiae s.l. and other macro-invertebrates.Item Comparison of temperate and tropical versions of Biological Monitoring Working Party (BMWP) index for assessing water quality of River Aturukuku in Eastern Uganda(Global Ecology and Conservation, 2020) Ochieng, Hannington; Odong, Robinson; Okot-Okumu, JamesDespite their socio-economic and ecological importance, rivers are among the most threatened ecosystems. As a result, reliable and affordable monitoring system is fundamental for their effective management and conservation. The utility of Biological Monitoring Working Party, BMWP (England, E) index developed for the temperate region and BMWP-CR modified for Costa Rica, the tropics, were compared for assessing water quality of River Aturukuku in Eastern Uganda. Benthic macroinvertebrates were used in the biomonitoring study because of their wide spectrum of sensitivity to changes in water physico-chemical characteristics. The riverine water quality at upstream site (rural area), four sites in mid-stream (urban area) and one site downstream (rural area), were evaluated using the BMWP indices from February to October, 2018. The Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H0) and selected physico-chemical variables were used to validate performance of the BMWP indices. Although BMWP-CR included more local macroinvertebrate taxa for pollution sensitivity scores than BMWP (E), the performance of both indices was similar. The BMWP (E) and BMWP-CR classified river water quality as bad to moderate, whereas the associated Average Score Per Taxon (ASPT), from England, ASPT (E) and ASPT-CR from Costa Rica indicated moderate to very good category, across seasons. The H0 and physicochemical variables classified river water quality as bad to moderate. The BMWPs and associated ASPTs allotted sites at urban effluent sources as moderate to very good, while those in rural settings as bad to good, contrary to allocations by H0 and physico-chemical variables. The two BMPs failed to reliably separate sites based on pollution gradient, attributable to biogeographical differences in environmental conditions and pollution tolerances among macroinvertebrates. There is need to adapt a biotic index such as BMWP-CR or develop an indigenous one for Uganda, through an intensive study on local macroinvertebrate assemblages.Item The Contribution of Fish to Food and Nutrition Security in Eastern Africa: Emerging Trends and Future Outlooks(Sustainability, 2019) Obiero, Kevin; Meulenbroek, Paul; Drexler, Silke; Dagne, Adamneh; Akoll, Peter; Odong, Robinson; Kaunda-Arara, Boaz; Waidbacher, HerwigApproximately 200 million people in Africa derive high-quality and low-cost proteins from fish. However, the consumption of fish is not fully exploited to combat the “triple burden” of malnutrition—obesity, undernutrition, and micronutrient deficiencies which are the leading causes of poor health in the region. There is still limited knowledge on quantitative information to guide policy makers in developing evidence-based actions that can improve the availability of and access to nutritious food for healthy and sustained diets among children and care givers. In this paper, we review the available literature with the aim of assessing and quantifying the extent to which fish contributes towards fighting food and nutrition insecurity in the Eastern Africa subregion. Key results reveal the region is characterized by fish supply deficits, and hence, low levels of fish consumed per person. Nonetheless, the increase in fish imports, and the growing supply of fish from aquaculture are likely to improve the per-capita fish intake. Fish trade is generally bidirectional, with exports exceeding imports in value terms, while significant challenges still hinder domestic and intra-regional fish trade. The Eastern Africa region is projected to realize increased fish consumption from 4.80 kg in 2013 to 5.49 kg by 2022. Rising population growth and income levels imply that the region will need 2.49 million tonnes of fish to fill the demand–supply gaps. We recommend that food security and nutritional programmes should recognize the potential of fish in providing essential micronutrients from the aspects of improved dietary quality, nutritional status, and general wellbeing of the region’s fast growing population.Item Exploitation Of Locally Available Organic Wastes For Rearing Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia Illucens) Larvae As A Potential Protein Ingredient For Poultry And Fish Feeds In Uganda(Journal of Biology and Nature, 2019) Onen, Hudson; Odong, Robinson; Chemurot, MosesThe animal industry especially aquaculture and poultry sectors contribute greatly to the livelihoods of households in sub-Saharan African countries. The ongoing depletion of fish stocks used as protein source requires substitution with alternative animal sources, e.g. black soldier fly (BSF) larvae, Hermetia illucens. Hence, this study assessed the growth performance of BSF larvae reared on locally and readily available organic wastes. Five organic waste types/substrates (cattle and swine dropping, chicken house rearing waste, decomposing avocado and millet brew wastes) were tested. Randomly selected third larval instar of BSF from each rearing substrate were measured: girth (in cm), length (in cm) and weight (in grams) using a vernier calliper and a weighing scale respectively. The findings indicate that in the 12 weeks period, millet brew wastes produced larvae with the widest girth, longest length and were heaviest, followed by decomposing avocado, waste from chicken rearing house, cattle and swine droppings. In conclusion, the growth performance of BSF larvae was influenced by substrates investigated. We recommend further studies to determine the nutritional composition of BSF larvae raised on each of the substrates investigated in this study.Item Impact of Wastewater Effluents from a Sugar Industry and a Molasses Based Distillery on Water Quality of River Musamya in Lugazi, Uganda(Makerere University, 2013) Karibwije Turinayo, Yonah; Kyambadde, Joseph; Odong, RobinsonThe sugar industry in Uganda and East Africa is of economic importance in terms of employment opportunities, government revenue, and sugar production for export and domestic consumption. However, there is a problem of environmental pollution due to its wastewater disposal without proper treatment. Sugar Corporation of Uganda Ltd (SCOUL) is one of the major sugar industries in Uganda milling over 1,583 tons of sugar cane per day and generating over 1000m3 of wastewater per day. Wastewater disposed by SCOUL is in septic conditions and causes serious pollution to the nearby river water source. However, there is little information regarding ecological studies to examine water quality of river Musamya after receiving effluents from SCOUL. This study therefore assessed the impact of wastewater effluents from SCOUL on the water quality of River Musamya so that environmental pollution mitigation measures can be put in place. Physicochemical characteristics of wastewater from SCOUL and water from River Musamya at the point of discharge, upstream and downstream of the river were determined using standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater. Impact of wastewater from SCOUL on River Musamya was evaluated and results showed that pollutant concentration in effluent from SCOUL were above permissible discharge limits by NEMA. River Musamya received 2,523±728 m3/day of wastewaterItem Implications of increasing pollution levels on commercially important fishes in Lake Victoria(Journal of Great Lakes Research, 2019) Badamasi, Inuwa; Odong, Robinson; Masembe, CharlesLake Victoria receives huge quantities of effluent from domestic, agricultural and industrial sources. We used fish condition factor (K), vitellogenin (VTG) production and liver lesions as biomarkers to assess pollution levels in the lake. We tested the hypothesis that pollution levels do not affect the selected biomarkers. Beach seine and cast nets were used to collect Oreochromis niloticus (n = 230), Lates niloticus (n = 99) and Protopterus aethiopicus (n = 37) in areas presumed to be less or more polluted, both inshore and offshore. K was lower in more polluted compared to less polluted areas of the lake. VTG production was high in both less and more polluted areas for O. niloticus (0.77 ± 0.08 mg/L), L. niloticus (0.73 ± 0.09 mg/L) and P. aethiopicus (0.55 ± 0.06 mg/L). Liver tissue showed lesions such as vacuolations, cellular degeneration, sinusoidal dilation, focal necrosis, increased Küpffer cells and congestion of sinusoids. The prevalence of liver tissue alteration showed normal lesion (19.9%, n = 73), slight (8.2%, n = 30), moderate (41.5%, n = 152), severe (18.6%, n = 68) alterations and irreparable damage (11.8%, n = 43). Severe liver alterations in O. niloticus, L. niloticus and P. aethiopicus were higher in more polluted compared to less polluted areas. Chemical contamination of Lake Victoria caused liver lesions and other changes in fishes, possibly leading to adverse effects on the lake’s fisheries resources. Overtime, such chemical contamination could lead to negative impacts on the consumers of fish if actions are not taken to mitigate the risks.Item The potential of four tropical wetland plants for the treatment of abattoir effluent(International journal of environmental technology and management, 2013) Odong, Robinson; Kansiime, Frank; Omara, John; Kyambadde, JosephWe investigated morphological characteristics and treatment potential of Cyperus papyrus, Typha domingensis, Miscanthidium violaceum, and Phragmites mauritianus receiving slaughterhouse wastewater in Kampala, Uganda, in experimental mesocosms. Unplanted mesocosms acted as controls. All planted mesocosms achieved significantly higher removals for nitrogen, phosphorus and organic matter than unplanted mesocosms. Among macrophytes, C. papyrus depicted highest pollutant uptake. The umbel of C. papyrus had the highest concentration of phosphorus (3.9 mg/g dry weight); while nitrogen concentration was highest in P. mauritianus shoot tissue (39.70 mg/g dry weight). Plants provided the necessary conditions that aided the removal of nutrients and organics through physical and biochemical processes. C. papyrus attained the highest biomass (31.0 kg dry weight/m2), compared to T. domingensis (7.5 kg dry weight/m2), P. mauritianus (7.2 kg dry weight/m2) and M. violaceum (5.0 kg dry weight/m2). C. papyrus had the largest total root surface area (200,634 cm2) in experimental mesocosms measuring 960 cm2.Item Predatory and competitive interaction in Anopheles gambiae sensu lato larval breeding habitats in selected villages of central Uganda(Parasites & vectors, 2021) Onen, Hudson; Odong, Robinson; Chemurot, Moses; Tripet, Frédéric; Kayondo, Jonathan K.Malaria is often persistent in communities surrounded by mosquito breeding habitats. Anopheles gambiae sensu lato exploit a variety of aquatic habitats, but the biotic determinants of its preferences are poorly understood. This study aimed to identify and quantify macroinvertebrates in different habitat types with determined water physico-chemical parameters to establish those preferred by An. gambiae s.l. larvae as well as their predators and competitors. Methods: A field survey was conducted in Kibuye and Kayonjo villages located in the vicinity of the River Sezibwa, north-eastern Uganda to identify Anopheline larval habitats shared by aquatic insects. Habitats were geo-recorded and as streams, ponds, temporary pools and roadside ditches. From October to December 2017, random microhabitats/ quadrats were selected from each habitat type, their water physico-chemical parameters (electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, temperature and pH) were measured, and they were sampled for macroinvertebrates using standard dippers. All collected arthropod macroinvertebrates were then morphologically identified to family level and enumerated. Results: Principal component analysis showed that the four larval habitat types were characterized by distinct physico-chemical parameter profiles. Ponds and streams had the highest number and diversity of macroinvertebrate insect taxa and sustained few An. gambiae s.l. larvae. Anopheles gambiae s.l. were more common in roadside ditches and particularly abundant in temporary pools which it commonly shared with Dytiscidae (predaceous diving beetles) and Culex spp. Cluster correlation analysis conducted on the abundance of these taxa within quadrats suggested that An. gambiae s.l. and Dytiscidae have the most similar patterns of microhabitat use, followed by Cybaeidae (water spiders). Whilst Culex spp. co-occurred with An. gambiae s.l. in some habitats, there was only partial niche overlap and no clear evidence of competition between the two mosquito taxa. Conclusions: Ponds and streams are habitats that host the largest diversity and abundance of aquatic insect taxa. Anopheles gambiae s.l. larvae distinctively preferred temporary pools and roadside ditches, where they were exposedItem Tertiary treatment of abattoir wastewater in a horizontal subsurface flow-constructed wetland under tropical conditions(International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, 2015) Odong, Robinson; Kansiime, Frank; Omara, John; Kyambadde, JosephA horizontal subsurface flow-constructed wetland (HSSF-CW) system planted with Cyperus papyrus was used to polish abattoir wastewater pre-treated in anaerobic and aerobic sequencing batch reactors at City Abattoir, Kampala. The HSSF-CW was 13 m long, 5 m wide, and was filled with gravel up to a depth of 0.6 m, of which 0.55 m was saturated with wastewater at hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 1.16 days. The percentage removals for turbidity, ammonium-nitrogen (NH4-N), total nitrogen (TN), orthophosphate (o-PO4-P), total phosphorus (TP), chemical oxygen demand (COD) and faecal coliform were 76, 48, 46, 74, 63, 60, and 100, respectively. Among different plant tissues investigated (roots, culm, sheath and umbel), nitrogen concentration was highest in the sheath. The different parts of plants also had different concentrations of phosphorus, with the culm having the highest concentration. Compared to literature, the percentage removals for organicItem Trends in health risks from water-related diseases and cyanotoxins in Ugandan portion of Lake Victoria basin(Research & Management, 2009) Muyodi, Fredrick J.; Hecky, Robert E.; Mukisa Kitamirike, Jackson; Odong, RobinsonStudies to examine the prevalence of water-related diseases, cyanobacteria toxins and other health risks at landing beaches in the Ugandan portion of the Lake Victoria basin were carried out. Based on surveillance studies and other data sources in the region, water samples were analysed for indications of faecal contamination. The coliform numbers were generally high for most sampling sites, indicating significant water contamination. The wet seasons exhibited significantly higher coliform counts than the dry seasons for all lakeshore sample sites. This seasonal variation in coliform counts correlated positively with the incidence of waterborne diseases, which are typically higher in the wet season. The water supply for domestic consumption for the Lake Victoria riparian communities is mainly the lake itself. The most prevalent diseases associated with the landing sites include malaria, dysentery, diarrhoea and bilharzia. Malaria was most prevalent, followed by dysentery, in all the studied districts. Many people in the catchment dispose of faecal wastes in lakeshore area bushes, or in polythene bags, contaminating water sources with faecal material, and resulting in waterborne diseases. The vulnerability of lakeside communities to water-related diseases is further aggravated by low accessibility to health facilities and personnel. Further, cyanobacteria (potentially toxic to humans and animals) dominate other algal species in Lake Victoria, contributing >50% of the algal biomass. Algal blooms occurred frequently in Murchison Bay, a source of drinking water for the city of Kampala and surrounding urban centres. Algal blooms can cause unpleasant odours and tastes in domestic water supplies, clog pump and machinery filters, increase chlorine demands for water disinfection, and necessitate more complex and expensive treatment processes. The findings of this study suggest improved water quality, changes in sanitation and hygiene behaviour could significantly reduce the prevalence of water-related diseases and cyanotoxins in the Ugandan portion of the Lake Victoria basin