Abstract
Exposure to microcystin poses a potential health hazard to humans and other living organisms. This results from eutrophication and warrants an investigation into the problem of microcystin toxicity in Lake Victoria. This study was conducted in Homa Bay, Kisumu, Siaya and Busia counties to understand the effects of microcystin toxicity among fisherfolk and lake riparian communities. Data collection involved 90 semi-structured questionnaires, 11 key informant interviews and seven focus group discussions. Water samples were also collected and analysed for algal toxins. Data were analysed using Stata version 13 (Stata Corp, College Station, Texas, USA) and SPSS version 18.0. Majority (73.3%) of the fisherfolk were aware of microcystin toxicity in the lake with no significant difference in the awareness of microcystin toxicity between men and women (χ2 = 1.1, df = 1, p = 0.293). Most of the respondents relied on lake (48.9%) and tap water (47.8%) with paltry sourcing water from borehole (16.8%) and rain (7.8%). There was no association between level of education and water source (lake; χ2 = 1.61, df = 3, p = 0.656) and (tap; χ2 = 2.23, df = 3, p = 0.527). Fisherfolk was cognizant of the need to curb microcystin toxicity. There was a significant difference (p < 0.05) in the occurrence of microcystin during the wet season compared to the dry season. Cyanophytes were the most significant (p < 0.001) group of phytoplankton. When ingested, microcystin has a long-term effect and therefore pollution control is crucial.
Highlights
Microcystin are algal toxin produced intracellularly within the algal cells; mainly from cyanobacterial blooms and released in water [1] [2]
Cyanobacterial bloom emanates from nutrient loading into surface waters from wastewater and agricultural run-off [4] which is an increasingly severe worldwide ecological problem. This results in environmental deterioration and a public health threat [5] to human beings who depend on water and fish from such eutrophied water bodies [1] [6] and [7] asserted that blue-green algae are widely spread in many equatorial eutrophicated lakes, such as Lake Victoria because of the elevated temperatures which exacerbate algal growth and breakdown resulting in toxins emission
The existence of microcystin in the waters of Lake Victoria has been documented [9] [10] [11] posited that the communities living along Lake Victoria are known to be major fish consumers they may exceed the average daily tolerance limit provided by World Health Organization (WHO) of 0.04 μg·kg−1 body weight [12] intake of microcystin through fish in their diet
Summary
Microcystin are algal toxin produced intracellularly within the algal cells; mainly from cyanobacterial blooms and released in water [1] [2]. Cyanobacterial bloom emanates from nutrient loading into surface waters from wastewater and agricultural run-off [4] which is an increasingly severe worldwide ecological problem. This results in environmental deterioration and a public health threat [5] to human beings who depend on water and fish from such eutrophied water bodies [1] [6] and [7] asserted that blue-green algae are widely spread in many equatorial eutrophicated lakes, such as Lake Victoria because of the elevated temperatures which exacerbate algal growth and breakdown resulting in toxins emission. Lake Victoria is of major concern in aquatic toxicology since it involves the risk of human exposure through direct consumption of contaminated water and through fish intake. It is paramount to assess the exposure of microcystin through fish and water consumption in order to adequately gauge human exposure risk and advice
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