influence of land based activities on the phytoplankton communities of Shimoni-Vanga system, Kenya

Phytoplankton communities play a significant role in the oceanic biological pump by forming the base of the trophic structure. Increase in nutrients loading affects spatial and temporal distribution of phytoplankton. This study examined the phytoplankton community structure and ecological indices in relation to nutrients dynamics in both estuarine and oceanic areas of Ramisi-Vanga systems along the Kenyan coast. Surface water samples were collected and analysed for nutrients [PO[4][3-] -P, NO[3] -N and N[4+]-N] and phytoplankton abundance and community structure. This study reported very diverse phytoplankton community structure consisting of 88 taxa that were dominated by Chaetoceros sp., Coscinodiscus sp., Nitzschia sp., Pseudo-nitzschia sp., Alexandrium sp., Protoperidium sp. and Prorocentrum sp that are among the potentially harmful algae. Diatoms were the most abundant taxa in Ramisi-Vanga system. Phytoplankton abundance was found to be higher in the estuarine systems [1182.06 +/- 149.14 cells/L] as compared to the oceanic systems [551.99 +/- 166.70 cells/L] with high abundance observed in May for oceanic and estuarine systems. Shannon Weiner's species diversity index was greater than 2 in both oceanic and estuarine systems. Phytoplankton species' abundance, composition and diversity were found to be influenced by the availability of NH/-N, NO[3-]-N and PO[4][3-]-P. Phytoplankton cell density was below 4000 cells/ L, thus, this study has classified Ramisi-Vanga system as an oligotrophic system implying that the current level of land based activities are not having significant impacts on the phytoplankton communities

Sewage pollution in the coastal waters of Mombasa city, Kenya: a norm rather than an exception

This study investigated the effects of sewage discharge on nutrient concentrations and BOD[5] levels in the coastal waters and sediments of the City of Mombasa. The results indicated that nutrient concentrations in Tudor, Mtwapa and Makupa Creeks were elevated as compared to concentrations in Gazi Creek [mean ranges of 0.022-0.039mg/L, 0.03 8-0.163mg/L and 0.034-0.118mg/Lphosphates, nitrates and ammonium respectively]. Sediments were found to harbour relatively higher concentrations of nutrients than water compartment [mean ranges of 0.217-1.13 Img/L, 0.199-0.603mg/L and 9.394-26.73mg/L for phosphates, nitrates and ammonium respectively] thus serving as a reservoir and potential source if sediments are re-suspended during heavy storms or dredging. Based on Chl-a levels, Makupa Creek could be classified as eutrophic whereas Mtwapa and Tudor Creeks could be placed at the upper limit of higher mesotrophy while Gazi Creek could be considered as an oligotrophic system. Of the three impacted Creeks, Tudor was found to be the most polluted