LOADING OF SOLUTE AND SUSPENDED-SOLIDS FROM RURAL CATCHMENT AREAS FLOWING INTO LAKE VICTORIA IN UGANDA

This research investigates the solute and suspended solids loading fro m various catchment areas and their streams into Lake Victoria. Physic al parameters were measured and water samples were taken approximately monthly for 1 year at several stations along the streams. Samples wer e analyzed for nutrients, major ions and suspended solids. The total n itrogen and phosphorus loadings determined from the studied catchments were extrapolated to calculate the loadings into the entire lake from its watershed. A range is given to represent extremes of conditions o f land use and stream profile: minimum values are loadings from arable non-agricultural lands, slow moving streams and hat plains whereas ma ximum values are obtained from pasture land (manure input), high disch arge and steep topography (increased erosion). These values are minimu m loads since the first flush of rain events were not captured. An att empt was made to assess from the literature the total point and diffus e loadings into Lake Victoria. There are still many gaps in the data ( especially industrial inputs) and further research is needed to obtain more certainty in the assessment of pollution and future environmenta l management strategies of the lake. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. Al l rights reserved.