Abstract
Information on catchment sediment yield and its heavy metal content is crucial to understanding of the transport mechanisms and the potential ecological threats of this sediment. This research aimed at modelling sediment yield and quantifying heavy metals bound to the sediment. The study was conducted in the Lake Victoria's Inner Murchison Bay catchment in Uganda. Depth integrated suspended sediment sampling and discharge measurements were done at the outlets of Nakivubo and Ggaba sub-catchments for ten storm events during a wet season between March and May 2022. The sediment yields for the storms were computed using average suspended sediment concentrations and discharge retrieved from hydrographs. Corresponding event-based sediment yields were modelled using the Modified Universal Soil Loss Equation (MUSLE). MUSLE model was calibrated and validated with observed sediment yields from Nakivubo and Ggaba sub-catchments respectively. Eighteen suspended sediment samples from the two sub-catchments were analysed for contamination by eight heavy metals. Results showed that the mean discharge and Suspened Sediment Concentration (SSC) were: 3.08 ± 1.66 m3/s and 1238 ± 665.6 mg/L; 0.495 ± 0.41 m3/s and 1102 ± 843.7 mg/L for Nakivubo and Ggaba respectively. MUSLE model performance indicators for calibration were: R2 of 0.94, NSE of 0.936 and PBIAS of -7.7 and for validation, R2 of 0.9, NSE of 0.57 and a PBIAS of -15.5. Thus, MUSLE proved a reliable tool for simulating event-wise sediment yield. Cadmium, Lead, and Zinc with contamination factors between 7–11, 1.9–4.1, and 0.9–1.7, respectively were the most prevalent heavy metals from both sub-catchments. Heavy metal pollution exhibited a linear relationship with suspended sediment concentration, with R2 values up to 0.958 and 0.82 in Nakivubo and Ggaba, respectively. The metal pollution in sediment carried into the bay, poses grave ecological and human health risks. Particularly, drinking water and fish sourced from the lake are susceptible to heavy metal contamination. Integrated catchment management practices that reduce sediment and heavy metal transport into Lake Victoria are an urgent requirement.
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The datasets generated during and/or analysed during this study are available from the corresponding author on request.
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Acknowledgements
This study was funded by the United Kingdom Research and Innovation (UKRI) through the Resilient Benefits from Water Resources (RESBEN) Project of the Water Center of Excellence for African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA), at Rhodes University. We therefore thank UKRI and Rhodes University in South Africa for both the financial and technical support. We acknowledge government agencies in Uganda including the Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE), National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) and the local authorities for all the guidance during this research. We express gratitude to the Makerere University RESBEN node and our research team including the Resource Persons as well as Research Assistants for the commitment and ensuring that best results were delivered.
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Kabenge, I., Ssewankambo, G., Nakawuka, P. et al. Modelling storm event-based sediment yield and assessing its heavy metal loading: case of Lake Victoria's Inner Murchison Bay catchment in Uganda. Model. Earth Syst. Environ. 10, 1973–1991 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40808-023-01876-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40808-023-01876-2