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Study of Spatial Distribution of Potentially Toxic Elements in a Nature Reserve in Langata Ecosystem

Received: 21 July 2020     Accepted: 7 October 2020     Published: 9 November 2020
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Abstract

Introduction: Study of Spatial distribution trends of potentially toxic trace (PTE) element pollution in Nature Reserves in Kenya soil has not been fully done. Pollution from potentially toxic trace elements (PTEs) suspected to be widespread in many parts of Kenya including Nature reserves. This is concidered a threat to wild animals and human health. This therefore necessitates a study to understand the extent of spatial distribution of PTE of much economic and health importance. Methods: About forty soil samples were taken in AFEW nature reserve in Langata Ecosystem at, 25 centimeters deep using soil augur. The samples in Ziplocs were transported to the chemistry labs. at Kabete and analyzed to determine levels of Pb Hg, Co Cr Cu, Zn by Coupled Plasma (ICP) Atomic Emission Spectrophotometry (AES) Optima 8000, Perkin Elmer to determine various ions, the results are presented in mg/gm. Health Quotient (HQ), Health Index (HI) and Pollution Index was calculated from the results. Results: In the study, traces of Potential Toxic Elements (Pb, Hg, Cd, Cr, Cu) were found in soil samples taken in varying quantities. Generally, there was higher levels near a stream in the reserve, Pb ranging from 0.9080mg/gm to 3.6927mg/gm; Hg varying from 1.8355mg/gm to 3.4781mg/gm. All others showed variation with higher levels in batches (B2) near the stream. No Zinc and Aluminum was detected in the samples. Health Index due to five PTEs was 0.859. Conclusion: It can be concluded that there are significant level Pb Hg, and Cobalt in various transects, but more near the stream traversing the reserve. HI is < 1 but should other PTEs in sample be included will likely be 1, meaning Health Hazard exists in the reserve to humans and animals. Pollution index was > 1 for Pb, Hg, and Co suggesting pollution by lead and Mercury in the Reserve.

Published in Journal of Health and Environmental Research (Volume 6, Issue 4)
DOI 10.11648/j.jher.20200604.12
Page(s) 114-118
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This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2020. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Toxic, Elements, Spatial, Nature, Reserve

References
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    Samwel Boaz Otieno, Emmanuel Ngumbi, Christine Odhiambo-Nyan’gaya, Jagi Gakunju. (2020). Study of Spatial Distribution of Potentially Toxic Elements in a Nature Reserve in Langata Ecosystem. Journal of Health and Environmental Research, 6(4), 114-118. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jher.20200604.12

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    ACS Style

    Samwel Boaz Otieno; Emmanuel Ngumbi; Christine Odhiambo-Nyan’gaya; Jagi Gakunju. Study of Spatial Distribution of Potentially Toxic Elements in a Nature Reserve in Langata Ecosystem. J. Health Environ. Res. 2020, 6(4), 114-118. doi: 10.11648/j.jher.20200604.12

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    AMA Style

    Samwel Boaz Otieno, Emmanuel Ngumbi, Christine Odhiambo-Nyan’gaya, Jagi Gakunju. Study of Spatial Distribution of Potentially Toxic Elements in a Nature Reserve in Langata Ecosystem. J Health Environ Res. 2020;6(4):114-118. doi: 10.11648/j.jher.20200604.12

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  • @article{10.11648/j.jher.20200604.12,
      author = {Samwel Boaz Otieno and Emmanuel Ngumbi and Christine Odhiambo-Nyan’gaya and Jagi Gakunju},
      title = {Study of Spatial Distribution of Potentially Toxic Elements in a Nature Reserve in Langata Ecosystem},
      journal = {Journal of Health and Environmental Research},
      volume = {6},
      number = {4},
      pages = {114-118},
      doi = {10.11648/j.jher.20200604.12},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jher.20200604.12},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.jher.20200604.12},
      abstract = {Introduction: Study of Spatial distribution trends of potentially toxic trace (PTE) element pollution in Nature Reserves in Kenya soil has not been fully done. Pollution from potentially toxic trace elements (PTEs) suspected to be widespread in many parts of Kenya including Nature reserves. This is concidered a threat to wild animals and human health. This therefore necessitates a study to understand the extent of spatial distribution of PTE of much economic and health importance. Methods: About forty soil samples were taken in AFEW nature reserve in Langata Ecosystem at, 25 centimeters deep using soil augur. The samples in Ziplocs were transported to the chemistry labs. at Kabete and analyzed to determine levels of Pb Hg, Co Cr Cu, Zn by Coupled Plasma (ICP) Atomic Emission Spectrophotometry (AES) Optima 8000, Perkin Elmer to determine various ions, the results are presented in mg/gm. Health Quotient (HQ), Health Index (HI) and Pollution Index was calculated from the results. Results: In the study, traces of Potential Toxic Elements (Pb, Hg, Cd, Cr, Cu) were found in soil samples taken in varying quantities. Generally, there was higher levels near a stream in the reserve, Pb ranging from 0.9080mg/gm to 3.6927mg/gm; Hg varying from 1.8355mg/gm to 3.4781mg/gm. All others showed variation with higher levels in batches (B2) near the stream. No Zinc and Aluminum was detected in the samples. Health Index due to five PTEs was 0.859. Conclusion: It can be concluded that there are significant level Pb Hg, and Cobalt in various transects, but more near the stream traversing the reserve. HI is  1 for Pb, Hg, and Co suggesting pollution by lead and Mercury in the Reserve.},
     year = {2020}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Study of Spatial Distribution of Potentially Toxic Elements in a Nature Reserve in Langata Ecosystem
    AU  - Samwel Boaz Otieno
    AU  - Emmanuel Ngumbi
    AU  - Christine Odhiambo-Nyan’gaya
    AU  - Jagi Gakunju
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    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jher.20200604.12
    DO  - 10.11648/j.jher.20200604.12
    T2  - Journal of Health and Environmental Research
    JF  - Journal of Health and Environmental Research
    JO  - Journal of Health and Environmental Research
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    EP  - 118
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
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    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jher.20200604.12
    AB  - Introduction: Study of Spatial distribution trends of potentially toxic trace (PTE) element pollution in Nature Reserves in Kenya soil has not been fully done. Pollution from potentially toxic trace elements (PTEs) suspected to be widespread in many parts of Kenya including Nature reserves. This is concidered a threat to wild animals and human health. This therefore necessitates a study to understand the extent of spatial distribution of PTE of much economic and health importance. Methods: About forty soil samples were taken in AFEW nature reserve in Langata Ecosystem at, 25 centimeters deep using soil augur. The samples in Ziplocs were transported to the chemistry labs. at Kabete and analyzed to determine levels of Pb Hg, Co Cr Cu, Zn by Coupled Plasma (ICP) Atomic Emission Spectrophotometry (AES) Optima 8000, Perkin Elmer to determine various ions, the results are presented in mg/gm. Health Quotient (HQ), Health Index (HI) and Pollution Index was calculated from the results. Results: In the study, traces of Potential Toxic Elements (Pb, Hg, Cd, Cr, Cu) were found in soil samples taken in varying quantities. Generally, there was higher levels near a stream in the reserve, Pb ranging from 0.9080mg/gm to 3.6927mg/gm; Hg varying from 1.8355mg/gm to 3.4781mg/gm. All others showed variation with higher levels in batches (B2) near the stream. No Zinc and Aluminum was detected in the samples. Health Index due to five PTEs was 0.859. Conclusion: It can be concluded that there are significant level Pb Hg, and Cobalt in various transects, but more near the stream traversing the reserve. HI is  1 for Pb, Hg, and Co suggesting pollution by lead and Mercury in the Reserve.
    VL  - 6
    IS  - 4
    ER  - 

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Author Information
  • Department of Community Health, Great Lakes University, Nairobi Centre, Nairobi, Kenya

  • Africa Fund for Endangered Wildlife (AFEW) Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya

  • Africa Fund for Endangered Wildlife (AFEW) Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya

  • Africa Fund for Endangered Wildlife (AFEW) Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya

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