Community monitoring of coliform pollution in Lake Tanganyika

Conventional water quality monitoring has been done for decades in Lake Tanganyika, under different national and international programs. However, these projects utilized monitoring approaches, which were temporally limited, labour intensive and costly. This study examines the use of citizen science to monitor the dynamics of coliform concentrations in Lake Tanganyika as a complementary method to statutory and project-focused measurements. Persons in five coastal communities (Kibirizi, Ilagala, Karago, Ujiji and Gombe) were trained and monitored total coliforms, faecal coliforms and turbidity for one year on a monthly basis, in parallel with professional scientists. A standardized and calibrated Secchi tube was used at the same time to determine turbidity. Results indicate that total and faecal coliform concentrations determined by citizen scientists correlated well to those determined by professional scientists. Furthermore, citizen scientist-based turbidity values were shown to provide a potential indicator for high FC and TC concentrations. As a simple tiered approach to identify increased coliform loads, trained local citizen scientists could use low-cost turbidity measurements with follow up sampling and analysis for coliforms, to inform their communities and regulatory bodies of high risk conditions, as well as to validate local mitigation actions. By comparing the spatial and temporal dynamics of coliform concentrations to local conditions of infrastructure, population, precipitation and hydrology in the 15 sites (3 sites per community) over 12 months, potential drivers of coliform pollution in these communities were identified, largely related to precipitation dynamics and the land use

Morphological Characteristics of Informal Settlements and Strategic Suggestions for Urban Sustainable Development in Tanzania: Dar es Salaam, Mwanza, and Kigoma

Rapid urbanization in developing countries has been accompanied by the spread of informal settlements, which is particularly prominent in sub-Saharan Africa. These settlements have become an important supplement to the inadequate formal housing supply in cities, and their spontaneously formed spatial patterns have important influences on sustainable development. In this study, qualitative and quantitative approaches were used to examine the morphological characteristics of informal settlements in Tanzania and the associated influences on urban development. Geographic spatial analyses, landscape pattern indices, and mathematical statistics, along with quick assessments, group discussions, and key informant interviews, were used to obtain detailed information on the spatial forms of informal settlements. The results indicate that the form of the settlements does not conform to the social, economic, or environmental characteristics of sustainable development. The disordered expansion of single-layered buildings with a single function, irregular road networks in poor condition, and a lack of consideration and protection of the ecological environment were found to negatively impact urban function and sustainable development. However, the structure and form of informal settlements could, in addition to formalization projects, be optimized to drive sustainable and socioeconomic development goals as well as environmental conservation

Lake Tanganyika : status, challenges, and opportunities for research collaborations

Abstract: Lake Tanganyika is one of the most important lakes in the world because it supports millions of people who rely on its resources and its exceptional biodiversity. However, the lake currently suffers from a range of anthropogenic stressors, including water pollution and sedimentation, resource, biodiversity decline, habitat loss (both physical and functional) and climate change. Past and current research has been limited and disparate, only allowing the scientific community to gather inadequate data required to make informed policy and management plans for this lake. Based on data and knowledge derived from scientific studies and field experiences by scientists and experts working in the Lake Tanganyika basin, this paper outlines past research, present gaps, and the opportunities for collaboration to generate scientific knowledge to inform positive policy and management strategies leading to the protection of Lake Tanganyika's ecological integrity. The results of this paper draw from independent short surveys, freshwater expert meetings, and formal and informal discussions carried out to identify and prioritize specific issues and threats that need to be addressed for the conservation of biodiversity and sustainable management of the Lake Tanganyika basin. After highlighting each issue or threat, the authors propose possible management interventions; the results of this work focus heavily on the need for enhanced specific research on many issues and a larger, multi-disciplinary, long-term monitoring program to collect comprehensive information on a host of variables that will ultimately assist relevant stakeholders and key agencies in addressing these issues and threats