Impact of urbanization on the ecology of Mukuvisi River, Harare, Zimbabwe

Publication date: Available online 31 October 2015 Source:Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, Parts A/B/C Author(s): N.A.G. Moyo, M.M. Rapatsa The main objective in this study was to compare the physico-chemical characteristics and biota of a river (Mukuvisi) passing through an urban area to that of a non-urbanised river (Gwebi). Five sites in the Mukuvisi River and five sites in the Gwebi River were sampled for water physico-chemical parameters (pH, conductivity, DO, BOD, TDS, ammonia, Cl, SO4 2-, PO4 2-, NO3 3-, F-, Pb, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn and Cr) once every month between August, 2012 - August, 2013. Cluster analysis based on the physico-chemical parameters grouped the sites into two groups. Mukuvisi River sites formed their own grouping except for one site which was grouped with Gwebi River sites. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used to extract the physico-chemical parameters that account for most variations in water quality in the Mukuvisi and Gwebi Rivers. PCA identified sulphate, chloride, fluoride, iron, manganese and zinc as the major factors contributing to the variability of Mukuvisi River water quality. In the Gwebi river, sulphate, nitrate, fluoride and copper accounted for most of the variation in water quality. Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) was used to explore the relationship between physico-chemical parameters and macroinvertebrate communities. CCA plots in both Mukuvisi and Gwebi Rivers showed significant relationships between macroinverte...

Source: Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, Parts ABC - October 31, 2015 Category: Science Source Type: research