Geochemical Distribution of Trace Elements in Groundwater from the North Mara Large-Scale Gold Mining Area of Tanzania

Research Article published by Ground Water Monitoring and RemediationThe infl uence of large-scale mining operations on groundwater quality was investigated in this study. Trace element concentrations in groundwater samples from the North Mara mining area of northern Tanzania were analyzed. Statistical analyses for relationships between elemental concentrations in the samples and distance of a sampling site from the mine tailings dam were also conducted. Eleven trace elements (Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) were determined, and averages of Fe and Al concentrations were higher than levels accepted by the Tanzanian drinking water guideline. Levels of Pb in three samples were higher than the World Health Organization ( WHO ) and United States Environmental Protection Agency ( USEPA ) drinking water guidelines of 10 and 15 µg/L, respectively. One sample contained a higher As level than the WHO and USEPA guideline of 10 µg/L. The correlation between element concentrations and distance from the mine tailings dam was examined using the hierarchical agglomeration cluster analysis method. A signifi cant difference in the elemental concentration existed depending on the distance from the mine tailings dam. Mann–Whitney U -test post hoc analysis confi rmed a relationship between element concentration and distance of a sampling site from the mine tailings dam. This relationship raises concerns about the increased risks of trace elements to people and ecosystem health. A metal pollution index also suggested a relationship between elemental concentrations in the groundwater and the sampling sites’ proximity from the mine tailings dam

An Analysis of Credit Use and Expenditure on Agricultural Production - The Case of Maize Farming in Uasin Gishu County of Kenya

Kenya’s economy is highly dependent on agriculture with maize production being one of the main agricultural activities. It produces an average of 23 million bags of maize annually with Uasin Gishu County accounting for 14.3% (3.29 million bags) of this national output. Production is associated with increasing cost and this brings to fore the question of financial requirements and expenditure, on agricultural production (Kamau and Otieno, 2013). To understand this puzzle, this study sought to answer the question regarding sources of finance for farmers and their expenditure on maize production. The study sought to establish the existing relationship between usage of loan facilities and expenditure on the one hand, and maize production on the other. Using exploratory survey design, 144 maize farmers from across the county were sampled and the data collected was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Descriptive statistics was used to capture the level of maize production, usage of loan facilities and expenditure by the maize farmers. Inferential analysis was used to draw conclusions concerning the relationships and differences found in research results. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) results showed a very low positive correlation between output and source of finance, credit or non-credit, as given by r = 0.2185. Only 4.77% of output is explained by source of finance (r2 = 0.0477). The analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) results showed a high positive correlation between output and the two explanatory variables source of finance (credit or non-credit) and expenditure as given by r = 0.7175. Over fifty-one percent of output is explained by both expenditure and source of finance (credit or non-credit) as given by r2 = 0.5148. In the analysis of variance, the estimated Di is statistically significant because of the t-value which is 2.6667 and the P-value which is 0.0086. This means that the numerical values of maize output for credit users and non-credit users are statistically different. Key Word: Credit financing/Non-equity financing, Expenditure, Maize, Production/Yield, Uasin Gish

Sicela usihawukela Nkosi

Siswati church music workshop performance, unaccompanied. Kyrie

Akadumiswe uNkulunkulu

Siswati church music workshop performance, accompanied by the drum. Gloria

Lumpy skin disease of cattle: a growing problem in Africa and the Near East

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Babe wethu

Siswati church music workshop performance, accompanied by the drum