TITLE:
The Effects of Anthropogenic Pollutants on Primary Productivity in Mtwapa Creek Waters in Kilifi, Kenya
AUTHORS:
Mwamuye Tunje Pole, Maarifa Ali Mwakumanya, Najya Mohammed
KEYWORDS:
Anthropogenic Pollutants, Nutrients, Oligotrophic Range, Dissolved Oxygen, ANOVA, Correlation Analysis
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Marine Science,
Vol.6 No.1,
January
11,
2016
ABSTRACT: Marine environmental pollution from urban development,
tourism industry and agricultural activities affects the quality of marine and
aquatic life and humans. This study established the impact of anthropogenic
activities on marine water nutrient loading and primary productivity at Mtwapa
Creek in Kenya. Triplicate water samples were collected twice a month from
seven (7) sites on the creek to determine the levels of concentration of the
three nutrients; , and in creek waters. Samples were analyzed
for nutrients level using the spectrophotometric method. Primary productivity
as an indication of carbon assimilation was computed using the traditional
Winkler method. Quantitative one-way Analysis of Variance was used to determine
the variations between sampling sites while correlation analysis was computed
to establish the relationship between nutrients and carbon levels. There was
spatial and temporal fluctuation of nutrients levels on the creek; however the
levels of nitrates were within the oligotrophic range. Phosphate levels were
not significantly different throughout the sampling period, while Ammonia
levels were very significantly high in the creek waters, implying active
biochemical processes affecting primary productivity with phosphates greatly
influencing carbon assimilation. Strategic land based management approaches
should be instituted to reduce the discharge flow into the creek waters.