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Research on "Distribution and Bio-Availability Assessment of Heavy Metals in Sediments from Lake Naivasha, Kenya" by Dr. M. C. Moturi and Mr. F. L. Polong
The Lake Naivasha basin, situated in Kenya's Great Rift Valley, has over the past few decades experienced increased economic activity including intensive horticultural farming, geothermal energy generation and exploration, tourism, livestock rearing and wild animals and the growth in small and medium scale enterprises (SME's). These in turn, have led to a rapid growth in the population that has put pressure on the available resources.
Earlier studies have shown that the lake has been contaminated with the pollutants arising from the human activities around the basin. Lack of a regulatory and policy initiative to stem the malady, may have worsened the situation.
Indeed, the continued pollution of the lake by toxic heavy metals will not only have a negative impact on the health of humans and animals, but can adversely affect the Kenyan economy especially because the horticultural produce from this basin is destined for the EU market which has stringent regulations for the goods exported to it.
This study will assess the distribution, bioavailability, and manner of occurrence and mobilization of toxic heavy metals in the Lake Naivasha. Specifically, the study will assess the mobility and bioavailability of heavy metals in sediments to provide bioavailability data that will influence policy developments in lake's basin and therefore ensure the sustainable use of the lake's resources.
It is envisaged that the study will determine the sources of the heavy metal pollutants into the lake that will contribute to the control and management of the lake ecosystem with respect to heavy metal contamination.
In addition, it is anticipated that the study will give some insight on the status of toxic heavy metal contaminants in Lake Naivasha and therefore enable the government and other stakeholders to enact measures and policies to arrest the contamination problem.
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