Working Document Series Open Access 2010 RUF-34566

Sediments and nutrients hotspot areas dynamics in selected micro-catchments of the Lake Tanganyika basin in Democratic Republic of Congo

E. AzangaF. KansiimeJ.G.M. Majaliwa

Download Read online

Abstract

126 words

This study aims at mapping changes in landuse in the Lake Tanganyika micro-catchments in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It also aimed at assessing the level of pollution of L. Tanganyika resulting from offloaded material and nutrients from these rivers draining into the lake from the mico-catchments. Preliminary results showed that forest cover decreased significantly over time in favour of grasslands with scattered trees. The three micro-catchments loose considerable amount of sediments and nutrients annually. These unfortunately end up into the lake and may compromise the quality of its water and aquatic life therein. This therefore calls for establishment of means to maintain adequate forest cover in the microcatchment, create awareness within communities in the microcatchment about the risk of environmental degradation and its mitigation measures.

Subjects

2 categories