Department of Environmental Science

ICDP workshop on the Deep Drilling in the Turkana Basin project: exploring the link between environmental factors and hominin evolution over the past 4 Myr

2024-07-30T13:55:37Z

ICDP workshop on the Deep Drilling in the Turkana Basin project: exploring the link between environmental factors and hominin evolution over the past 4 Myr Catherine C Beck, Melissa Berke, Craig S Feibel, Verena Foerster, Lydia Olaka, Helen M Roberts, Christopher A Scholz, Kat Cantner, Anders Noren, Geoffery Mibei Kiptoo, James Muirhead Scientific drill cores provide unique windows into the processes of the past and present. In the dynamic tectonic, environmental, climatic, and ecological setting that is eastern Africa, records recovered through scientific drilling enable us to look at change through time in unprecedented ways. Cores from the East African Rift System can provide valuable information about the context in which hominins have evolved in one of the key regions of hominin evolution over the past 4 Myr. The Deep Drilling in the Turkana Basin (DDTB) project seeks to explore the impact of several types of evolution (tectonic, climatic, biological) on ecosystems and environments. This includes addressing questions regarding the region's complex and interrelated rifting and magmatic history, as well as understanding processes of sedimentation and associated hydrothermal systems within the East African Rift System. We seek to determine the relative impacts of tectonic and climatic evolution on eastern African ecosystems. We ask the follow questions: what role (if any) did climate change play in the evolution of hominins? How can our understanding of past environmental change guide our planning for a future shaped by anthropogenic climate change? To organize the scientific community's goals for deep coring in the Turkana Basin, we hosted a 4 d ICDP supported workshop in Nairobi, Kenya, in July 2022. The team focused on how a 4 Myr sedimentary core from the Turkana Basin will uniquely address key scientific research objectives related to basin evolution, paleoclimate, paleoenvironment, and modern resources. Participants also discussed how DDTB could collaborate with community partners in the Turkana Basin, particularly around the themes of access to water and education. The team concluded that collecting the proposed Pliocene to modern record is best accomplished through a two-phase drilling project with a land-based transect of four cores spanning the interval from 4 Ma to the Middle–Late Pleistocene (< 0.7 Ma) and a lake-based core targeting the interval from ∼ 1 Ma to present. The second phase, while logistically more challenging due to the lack of drilling infrastructure currently on Lake Turkana, would revolutionize our understanding of a significant interval in the evolution and migration of Homo sapiens for a time period not currently accessible from the Kenyan part of the Turkana Basin. Collectively, the DDTB project will provide exceptional tectonic and climatic data directly associated with one of the world's richest hominin fossil localities. https://doi.org/10.5194/sd-33-93-2024

Influence of Industrial Symbiosis on Solid Waste Reuse in Manufacturing Industries in Kisumu County, Kenya

2024-03-01T16:29:35Z

Influence of Industrial Symbiosis on Solid Waste Reuse in Manufacturing Industries in Kisumu County, Kenya Adalla, Morelly Kathy; Achola, Raphael Kapiyo; Oindo, Boniface Oluoch; Obong’o, Boniface Oure Industrial symbiosis (IS) is a practical approach to sustainable economic and environmental management involving exchanging materials, energy, water, and by-products among industries. While IS has been extensively studied in developed countries, its implementation in developing countries still needs to be improved. The purpose of the research was to assess the influence of geographical proximity and symbiotic intensity on the exchange of solid waste materials. This study employed a descriptive, cross-sectional research design and examined 41 manufacturing industries in Kisumu County, Kenya. A combination of quantitative and qualitative data was collected through questionnaires administered to technical officers in the industry. Besides, in-depth interviews with industry experts, county administrators, and industry association representatives were conducted, providing valuable insights and perspectives on the subject matter. The findings established that geographical proximity did not significantly influence types of waste exchanged (p = 0.298, p = 0.327, and p = 0.535) using nutrient-value waste as the reference category. This finding was likely due to high variability in distance between industries in the symbiotic exchanges. In contrast, the symbiotic intensity statistically significantly influenced the amount of solid waste reused in the network (Adjusted R2 = 0.113, p = 0.039). Furthermore, it was established that increasing the number of actors in the network (β = 0.324) can significantly impact solid waste reuse more than increasing the number of types of waste being exchanged (β = 0.243). This study underscores IS as a sustainable alternative to conventional manufacturing, especially in developing countries, while indicating that factors other than geographical proximity shape symbiosis.

Effects of Papyrus Plants (Cyperus papyrus) on the Physicochemical Parameters and Nutrient Levels of Water and Sediments in Yala Swamp Wetland in Western Kenya

2024-03-01T16:16:42Z

Effects of Papyrus Plants (Cyperus papyrus) on the Physicochemical Parameters and Nutrient Levels of Water and Sediments in Yala Swamp Wetland in Western Kenya Achieng, Violet Orodo; Abuom, Paul Otieno; Shikanga, Emmanuel Amukohe; Osewe, Elly Tetty; Anyona, Douglas Nyambane; Mngube, Fredrick Mhina; Adongo, Stephen Odongo Yala swamp wetland is the largest fresh water wetland ecosystem in Kenya supporting a broad biodiversity. It comprises of River Yala, the Yala swamp, Lakes Kanyaboli, Namboyo and Sare, and a portion of Lake Victoria neighboring the swamp. Approximately 2300 ha of land have been reclaimed and has been used for large-scale agriculture resulting in mass destruction of papyrus to create room for framing. Papyrus are known to be important in phytoremediation but despite this role information is limited, lacks supportive evidence and the empirical aspect on the levels of these pollutants in relation to the papyrus biomass is limited. The study is aimed at determining the effects of Cyperus papyrus on the water and sediment quality in Yala Swamp wetland. Six sampling sites were purposefully selected to monitor the variations of the physicochemical parameters (temperature, dissolved oxygen: DO, pH, biological oxygen demand: BOD, total suspended solids: TSS, turbidity, electrical conductivity: EC and total dissolved solids: TSS) and the levels selected nutrients (phosphorus and nitrates) in water and sediments as River Yala flows through Dominion Farms, Lake Sare which surrounded by Cyperus papyrus and finally into Lake Victoria. The samples were collected in triplicates during the wet and dry seasons (May and September 2015 respectively). The physicochemical parameters were measured in situ using a Hydrolab muiltimeter while the nutrients were analyzed using UV/Vis spectroscopy. Statistical analysis was done using SAS V9.0 software. The mean temperature was 26.19˚C ± 0.71˚C, DO: 3.72 ± 1.02 Mg/l, BOD: 3.9 ± 0.32 Mg/l, pH: 7.52 ± 0.17, TDS: 109 ± 86.33, EC: 173.26 ± 13.8 μS/cm, TSS: 12.42 ± 18.51 Mg/l and Turbidity: 12.29 ± 10.03 NTU. The values varied significantly at P < 0.05 among all the sites. The results show that papyrus is useful in maintaining the required levels of physicochemical parameters. The study will assist in conservation of the papyrus to help phytoremediate pollutants from Dominion farms and the adjacent farms in order to have ecologically sound wetland.

Does Universities’ Research Output Aligned to National Development Goals Impact Economic Productivity? Evidence from Kenya

2022-03-13T13:23:11Z

Does Universities’ Research Output Aligned to National Development Goals Impact Economic Productivity? Evidence from Kenya Madara Ogot, George Mark Onyango Few studies on developing countries have investigated the alignment of research output to a country’s development agenda and economic productivity. Using evidence from Kenya, this study sought to empirically determine whether the country’s research output is aligned to its development agenda in the first instance and to establish the output’s relationship to economic productivity. Journal publications were used to measure research output. From the analysis, 86% of the publications fell within one or more of the national development priority areas, though 60% were in only 6 of the 35 areas. Several areas had no publications at all during the period under investigation. Furthermore, excluding the health and education sectors, a strong positive relationship was established between the number of publications in different priority areas and those areas’ contribution to Gross Domestic Product. The Government, therefore, needs to avail research funding to research institutions, which, in turn, need to focus their research effort on all identified national development priority areas if Kenya’s development aspirations are to be achieved and the desired economic growth attained. The article can be accessed in full via URL:https://doi.org/10.1177/00219096221080196

Factors predisposing women and children to indoor air pollution in rural villages, Western Kenya

2022-03-10T06:13:57Z

Factors predisposing women and children to indoor air pollution in rural villages, Western Kenya Gabriel O Dida, Patrick O Lutta, Paul O Abuom, Tomislav Mestrovic, Douglas N Anyona Indoor air pollution (IAP) remains a major global public health hazard more so in developing countries where use of fossil fuels is still very common. However, despite the popularity of kerosene and fuelwood as energy sources among many households in the Sub-Saharan Africa, little is known about their health effects and the predisposing factors particularly on those with direct exposure. This study sought to relate indoor air pollution exposure to self-reported prevalence of respiratory outcomes including (sputum production, congestion, breathing difficulties, eye problems, fatigue, and headaches and wheezing) among women and children of Trans Nzoia County, in the rural villages of western Kenya. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13690-022-00791-9

Influence of Levels of Awareness, Willingness to Pay, and Incentives on Solid Waste Management Practices by Commercial Enterprises in Kakamega Town

2022-02-21T13:36:57Z

Influence of Levels of Awareness, Willingness to Pay, and Incentives on Solid Waste Management Practices by Commercial Enterprises in Kakamega Town Robert Mbatsi Kuya, Boniface Oluoch Oindo, Albert Elim Long’ora Globally, there has been an increase in population that has led to increased urbanization and change in consumption patterns. This has led to an increase in solid waste generation. Commercial enterprises have also increased exponentially, which has resulted in an increase in solid waste generation worldwide and Kakamega town. This study sought to analyse the influence of the levels of awareness, willingness to pay, and incentives on solid waste collection, transportation, and disposal by commercial enterprises in Kakamega town. A cross-sectional research design was employed. A minimum sample size of 300 commercial enterprises was drawn from a study population of 1,372 commercial enterprises using Taro Yamen formula. Simple random sampling was used to identify the commercial enterprises within the study area. Purposive sampling was used to identify key informants such as the Town Manager and the Director of the environment who were interviewed. Primary data were collected through structured questionnaires administered to the commercial enterprises, interview schedules for key informants, focused group discussions, and photography. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics: percentages, frequencies, means, graphs, and pier chats. Qualitative data were analysed thematically along with the research objectives and presented in narrative form. Spearman’s rank correlation was used to determine the relationship between the dependent variables as explained by the independent variables in the study; Levels of awareness, willingness to pay, incentives. The analysed findings were presented inform of tables, figures, and plates. Results shows that the awareness levels on solid waste transportation and disposal were extremely high at r=0.882, compared to the collection at r=0.375. Thus, the frequency of solid waste collection could not influence the frequency of solid waste transportation and disposal. Provision of incentives such as reduced charges, provision of defined transfer point, provision of waste holding bins were extremely high thus influencing the solid waste management practices by the commercial enterprises at r=0.830. Most of the commercial enterprises were willing to pay for solid waste management to the municipal council at 64%. Using the results, the County Government of Kakamega can incorporate all the waste generators in the solid waste management hierarchy thus improving on solid waste management practices and converting the waste into cash DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.24018/ejgeo.2022.3.1.236

Analysis of Factors Influencing the Changes in the use of Transport Modes in Kisumu, Kenya.

2022-02-17T08:46:18Z

Analysis of Factors Influencing the Changes in the use of Transport Modes in Kisumu, Kenya. Okoyo E.O; Grigolon A. B.; Amer S Previous research in the city of Kisumu looked at the policies that were put in place by the government causing the changes in transport mode choice. However, the research did not look at the sociodemographic, built environment, trip-related, attitudinal and perception factors influencing the changes in the use of transport modes. The aim of this study, therefore, was to investigate the determinants of the changes in the use of transport modes in the city of Kisumu and underlying factors influencing these changes. To help put the research into context, a review of the literature was carried out to conceptualise factors influencing the use of transport modes. It then facilitated the development of a household travel survey questionnaire to aid in collecting data through cluster and systematic sampling. Data were analysed using descriptive statistical analysis and Chi-Square test of association to produce the results. A geographical information system analysis was also used to map the spatial distribution of transport mode used by the households. The analysis revealed that most changes in the use of transport modes in the city of Kisumu occurred in the last five years. It is coupled by an increase in the use and ownership of motorcycles especially in the far-flung city neighbourhoods like Kogony. On the other hand, the reasons advanced by the respondents why they changed the mode revolved around socio-economic, built environment, trip-related, attitudinal and political reasons based on the neighbourhood (sub-locations) one resides. Also, socio-demographic factors are the most likely to be influencing mode choice in the city of Kisumu followed by built environment factors, attitudinal and perception factors in that order. The findings call for the County Government of Kisumu to work with stakeholders in promoting the benefits of non-motorised transport modes. The local government also need to facilitate policymakers to work with the local community to formulate sustainable transportation policies to include non-motorised transport modes. This study hopes to bring a better understanding to city planners in Kisumu and other similar jurisdictions on factors influencing mode choice to help them develop effective and targeted people and place-based policies. It is also expected that this study will contribute to the academic body of knowledge on the factors influencing mode choice in Global South cities like Kisumu. Nevertheless, categorical data analysis has methodological limitations inherent in this line of research. It calls for careful interpretation of the results as there may be a limited insight into causality. To this end, it would be of interest for future studies to look at multi-variable analysis in the same context using a household travel survey over large sample size.

From a Waste Cemetery to a Waste Hospital: Recreating Kisumu City’s Waste Management System

2022-02-14T11:04:25Z

From a Waste Cemetery to a Waste Hospital: Recreating Kisumu City’s Waste Management System Frankline Otiende Awuor, Michael Oloko, Arvin Lucy Onditi, Stephen Gaya Agong’ With the new constitutional dispensation in Kenya, counties, cities and towns are creating and recreating their solid waste management systems. Taking Kisumu as a case, this study assesses the existing solid waste management system and how best to recreate it while giving special emphasis to its system configuration, governance framework and waste economy. Methods: Data was collected through group discussions, in depth interviews, document reviews, observations, and a city wide survey of solid waste generation and management. Results were analysed through content and critical analyses and descriptive statistics. Results and Conclusion: The existing configuration does not ensure service delivery to all while the governance framework is not up to the task at hand. Furthermore, the City’s waste economy fails to capture a number of waste resources but loses them to Kachok dumpsite as wastes.

Impact of Pesticides use on Honeybee Mortality, Honey Yields and Quality in Transmara West Sub County, Ke

2022-02-03T08:12:26Z

Impact of Pesticides use on Honeybee Mortality, Honey Yields and Quality in Transmara West Sub County, Ke 163. Dida G, Aboum P, Richard K, Anyona, D, Mestrovic T, Oscar M Background: The honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) is an important insect that produces honey wax and royal jelly, and propolis that thought to fight infections. It also acts as a cross pollinator of both agricultural and wild plants. However, honeybee colonies are presently faced with a number of constraints both globally and locally. Like in many parts of the world, hive colonization and honey yields in Transmara West Sub-County of Kenya have been on a decline; attributed partly to increased pesticide use. This study thus set out to establish the impacts of pesticides use on honeybee mortality rate and honey production by screening honeybee, honey and pollen for pesticide residues. Methods: A longitudinal descriptive survey and experimental design was adopted for the study. Sixteen apiaries were selected and two strong colonies in Langstroth hives identified in each apiary. These were replicated once to bring the total to 64 colonies, which acted as controls and treatments. Traps were fixed at hive entrances to aid in collection of dead bees at weekly intervals for a period of six months (March to October 2015). Samples of honeybee colony matrices among them pollen loads, honeybee and honey were collected from the identified colonies and analyzed for amitraz, chlorfenvinphos, cypermethrin, deltamethrin and malathion residues using Queshers method at Maseno University chemistry laboratories.Differences in honeybee mortality rate and honey yields between experimental sets were established by one way ANOVA followed by a Turkey HSD post hoc test. A structured questionnaire was also administered to select bee keepers to evaluate their perception on and role in pesticide use. Their responses were analyzed using the χ 2 test or Fisher's exact test. Results: Mortality rate in treated colonies (229±5.1) was significantly higher than in control colonies (73±11); MSD=4.6791, p=0.01. Likewise, honey yield in control colonies (16.0±1.0 kg) was significantly higher than in treated colonies (8.7±1.2 kg); (MSD=4.8425, p=0.024). For instance, the average season one honey yield in the control colonies was 18.0 ± 1.0 kg compared to 7.1 ±1.10 kg, 8.4 ±1.50 and 9.2 ±1.7 kg, in treated colonies. This implies that increased pesticide use may have contributed to increased honeybee mortality rate and reduced honey yields. No residues were detected in all honeybee colony matrices, implying that honeybee products within the study settings were safe for consumption. Majority of farmers reported observing changes in honeybee colony strength, a reduction in honey yields, reduced colony size, significantly weakening the colonies. Conclusion: This study established an inverse relationship between pesticides use honeybee mortality rate, with significant increase in mortality rate and reduced honey production being associated with its use. Absence of residues in the matrices in all the studied sites suggests honeybee products from the study setting are still safe for human consumption. Nevertheless, farmers need to be trained on safe handling of pesticides. In addition, there is need for further research on the synergistic impacts of pesticides use on honeybees, and the need for alternative and ecofriendly pest control options to curb the challenge associated with indiscriminate effects of pesticides on other important insects like honeybees.

Cities coping with COVID-19 Comparative perspectives

2022-02-01T07:08:39Z

Cities coping with COVID-19 Comparative perspectives David Simon, Angeles Arano, Mariana Cammisa, Beth Perry, Sara Pettersson, Jan Riise, Sandra Valencia, Michael Oloko, Tarun Sharma, Yutika Vora & Warren Smit