Summaries of research findings under buffering capacity of Wetlands sub-component

Abstract

The aim of the assessment was to identify location, type and size of wetlands in the Tanzanian part of Lake Victoria basin including both fringing and non-fringing wetlands. Assessment of fringing wetlands has been completed and a report that shows wetland location/distribution, area, threats and social economic values has been produced. Some preliminary qualitative data on major rivers were collected. Physical parameters of water were measured for the river Mara, Rubana, Mbalageti, Simiyu, Nyashishi and Mahina. Nutrients, and heavy metals were not measured due to delays in procurement of laboratory equipment and chemicals Mara river had highest water quality compared to all other rivers sampled, probably this was contributed by buffering effect by a big wetland which is associated with Mara river system. In Mara region, Mara River has indicated higher water quality with respect to Turbidity, Electric Conductivity, Total Hardness and Chloride content compared with Rubana and Mbalageti rivers. This might be due to the reason that, Mara River flows through extensive wetland. In Mwanza region, Simiyu River and its main tributary, Duma has indicated higher values of pH, Electric Conductivity, Total Alkalinity, Hardness and Chloride content than Nyashishi and Mahina rivers. This generally indicates that, Simiyu and Duma rivers have higher mineral content compared to Nyashishi and Mahina. Higher Permanganate Values were also indicated for Nyashishi river compared with the other rivers and this is an indication of higher organic content in the Nyashishi River.