Correlation Between Physicochemical Parameters and Heavy Metal Levels in Lake Victoria, Kenya - Ecological Relevance to Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65482/jasab1220252617-24.xKeywords:
Keywords: Lake Victoria, Nile Tilapia, Heavy Metals, physicochemical parameters, ecologyAbstract
ABSTRACT
Lake Victoria is increasingly threatened by anthropogenic pollution, with implications for water quality, fisheries, and public health. This study examined the relationship between physicochemical parameters and heavy metal concentrations [lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), chromium (Cr)] in Lake Victoria. During the dry season, water samples were collected from six sites in Siaya County, and physicochemical parameters were measured in situ. Heavy metals were analyzed using atomic absorption spectrophotometry, and data were subjected to Kruskal–Wallis tests, Dunn’s post hoc analysis, and Spearman’s rank correlations in R. Results revealed that most physicochemical parameters were within WHO limits, although conductivity and salinity varied significantly (p < 0.05) across sites. Fe was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in Kokach and Wichlum, while Cr levels were lowest (p < 0.05) in Kokach. Positive correlation between Fe and both temperature (r = 0.77) and dissolved solids (r = 0.77) was observed, while Cd was negatively correlated with conductivity (r = –0.97). Other associations were weak and not statistically significant. In conclusion, there is a strong association between physicochemical parameters and heavy metal concentrations in Lake Victoria, indicating that monitoring these selected physicochemical variables can serve for predicting heavy metal dynamics. Regular monitoring and integrated catchment management are therefore recommended to safeguard the lake’s ecological integrity. Further studies incorporating seasonal variation are necessary.
References
Adekunle, M. 2009. Temperature effect on water extractability of cadmium, copper, lead and zinc from composted organic solid wastes of south-west Nigeria. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 6: 2397-2407. https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/6/9/2397
Argun, A. 2025. Examination of heavy metal concentrations and their interaction with anthropogenic sources in Ermenek Dam Lake (Turquoise Lake). Environmental Geochemistry and Health, 47(2). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-025-02367-2
Armas-Rosales, Alvaro M., 2006. Genetic effects influencing salinity and cold tolerance in tilapia. LSU Master's Theses. 3022. https://repository.lsu.edu/gradschool_theses/3022
Baharim, H., Ismail, R., & Omar, H. 2011. Effects of thermal stratification on the concentration of iron and manganese in a tropical water supply reservoir. Sains Malaysiana, 40:821-825. https://www.academia.edu/download/75839246/02._Noor_Halini.pdf
Hacısalihoğlu, S., & Karaer, F. 2016. Relationships of heavy metals in water and surface sediment with different chemical fractions in lake Uluabat, Turkey. Polish Journal of Environmental Studies, 25:1937–1946. https://doi.org/10.15244/pjoes/62908
Idam, A., & Elsheakh, G. 2022. Impact of some water quality parameters of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) farm cultured in different pond systems, Gezira State, Sudan. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Growth Evaluation, 3: 618-622.
Juma, W., Wang, H., & Li, F. 2014. Impacts of population growth and economic development on water quality of a lake: Case study of Lake Victoria Kenya water. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 21:5737–5746. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-014-2524-5
Kaddumukasa, M., Nsubuga, D., & Muyodi, J. 2012. Occurrence of Culturable Vibrio cholerae from Lake Victoria, and Rift Valley Lakes Albert and George, Uganda. Lakes and Reservoirs: Science, Policy and Management for Sustainable Use, 17:291–299. https://doi.org/10.1111/lre.12009
Keyombe, L., & Waithaka, E. 2017. Analysis of some aspects of water quality of Lake Naivasha. International Journal of Chemical and Life Sciences, 6:2001. https://doi.org/10.21746/ijcls.2017.1.1
Kelany, F., Abdel-Mohsein, S., Kotb, S., & Ismail, E. A. 2024. Significant impact of physicochemical water parameters in tilapia aquaculture. Journal of Advanced Veterinary Research, 14:1060-1064. https://advetresearch.com/index.php/AVR/article/download/1926/1289
Kundu, R., Aura, M., Nyamweya, C., Agembe, S., Sitoki, L., Lung'ayia, B., & Werimo, K. 2017. Changes in pollution indicators in Lake Victoria, Kenya and their implications for lake and catchment management. Lakes and Reservoirs: Research and Management, 22:199-214. https://doi.org/10.1111/lre.12187
Lores, M., & Pennock, R. 1998. The effect of salinity on binding of Cd, Cr, Cu and Zn to dissolved organic matter. Chemosphere, 37:861-874. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0045-6535(98)00090-3
Mariu, A., Chatha, A. M. M., Naz, S., Khan, M. F., Safdar, W., & Ashraf, I. 2023. Effect of Temperature, pH, Salinity and Dissolved Oxygen on Fishes. Journal of Zoology and Systematics, 1:1–12. https://doi.org/10.56946/jzs.v1i2.198
Miranda, S., Wijesiri, B., Ayoko, A., Egodawatta, P., & Goonetilleke, A. 2021. Water-sediment interactions and mobility of heavy metals in aquatic environments. Water Research, 202:117386.https://doi.org/10.1016/J.WATRES.2021.117386
Muthoka, M., Ogello, O., Outa, O., Ouko, O., Obiero, O., Mboya, B., & Mukaburu, O. 2024. Threats to aquatic biodiversity and possible management strategies in Lake Victoria. Aquaculture, Fish and Fisheries, 4:1-13. https://doi.org/10.1002/aff2.143
Ogoyi, O., Mwita, J., Nguu, K. & Shiundu, P. 2011. Determination of Heavy Metal Content in Water, Sediment and Microalgae from Lake Victoria, East Africa. The Open Environmental Engineering Journal, 4:156-161. http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1874829501104010156
Onyari, J. M., & Wandiga, S. O. 1989. Distribution of Cr, Pb, Cd, Zn, Fe and Mn in Lake Victoria Sediments, East Africa. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 42:807-813. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01701619.
Orina, S., Onyango, M., Lungayia, H., Oduor, A., Sifuna, W., Otuya, P., Owigar, A., Kowenje, B., & Hinzano, M. 2020. Water Quality of Selected Fishing Beaches of Lake Victoria Kenyan Gulf. Open Journal of Ecology, 10:22–35. https://doi.org/10.4236/oje.2020.101002
Outa, O., Kowenje, O., Avenant-Oldewage, A., & Jirsa, F. 2020. Trace Elements in Crustaceans, Mollusks and Fish in the Kenyan Part of Lake Victoria: Bioaccumulation, Bioindication and Health Risk Analysis. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 78:589–603. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-020-00715-0
Piwowarska, D., Kiedrzyńska, E., & Jaszczyszyn, K. 2024. A global perspective on the nature and fate of heavy metals polluting water ecosystems, and their impact and remediation. Critical reviews in environmental Science and Technology, 54:1436-1458. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/10643389.2024.2317112
Ranasinghe, P., Weerasinghe, S., Kaumal, M. N., Weerasinghe, S., & Kaumal, M. N. 2016. Determination of Heavy Metals in Tilapia using Various Digestion Methods. International Journal of Scientific Research and Innovative Technology, 3:38-48. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/325450561
Rajendra S., Amrita Singh, A. S., Rahul Bhadouria, R. B., & Yadav, H. K. 2017. Impact and assessment of heavy metal toxicity on water quality, edible fishes and sediments in lakes: a review. Trends in Biosciences, 10:1551-1560.
Shaalan, M. 2024. Hazardous effects of heavy metal pollution on Nile tilapia in the aquatic ecosystem of the Eastern Delta in Egypt. BMC Veterinary Research, 20(1):585. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-024-04367-3
Sitoki, L., Gichuki, J., Ezekiel, C., Wanda, F., Mkumbo, C., & Marshall, E. 2010. The environment of Lake Victoria (East Africa): Current status and historical changes. International Review of Hydrobiology, 95:209–223. https://doi.org/10.1002/iroh.201011226
Yunana, A., Shittu, A., Ayuba, S., Bassah, J., & Joshua, K. 2017. Climate change and lake water resources in Sub-Saharan Africa: case study of lake Chad and lake Victoria. Nigerian Journal of Technology, 36:648–654. https://doi.org/10.4314/njt.v36i2.42
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Tobias Owiti Odhiambo Owiti; Mburu, Wilson Jere, caleb Orenge, Evalyn Mwihia
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Our journal offers members open access to reach all published articles freely within the framework of “Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)” license. This license enables reusers to reproduce, share, and adapt articles in any medium or format, including for commercial purposes, so long as the attribution is given to the authors.
