Abstract
This paper discusses the results of a study carried out in 2003 on the water quality of Nairobi River on the basis of pollution parameters and water quality index. The study aimed at establishing whether the watermeets the surface water quality criteria for water supply. The area of study in Nairobi River was within its entry and exit of Nairobi province. It was observed that human activities along the river with visible encroachment to the banks, contribute to the heavy level of pollution of the river. This is the section that industrial discharges and municipalsewerage are discharged into the river. The study was carried out through field surveys and laboratory tests on samples taken from the river. The results obtained from laboratory tests were analysed and compared to the established surface water quality criteria by A.S.C.E, W.H.O, Natural watercourses Standards of Kenya andclassification of rivers by Royal Commission on Sewage Disposal. Human activities along the river course have severely impacted on the River water quality. The study area had average pH of 7.04; the average turbidity was 41.5N.T.U, the average suspended solids in the section was 116.43 mg/l, the average dissolved oxygen was 4.32mg/l.the average BOD was 182.5mg/l. The average COD for the reach studied was 49.5mg/l. The river was therefore classified as bad according to Klein 1966. The study concluded that the Nairobi River within Nairobi province was badly polluted as indicated by the water quality index analysis. The WQI gives a value of 49.27, fall between thenumerical ranges of the classification of bad (26-50).
Highlights
A phytosociological study was conducted as an initial assessment of the vegetation on different sites to determine the community structure and how the communities were related based on their species composition and edaphic characteristics
The stands dominated by Prosopis, formed an association with halophytes (H. recurvum, T. indica, C. cretica) and xerophyte (C. procera, S. oleoides, F. indica, P. aceolata) species
Avicennia marina as a leading dominant formed an association with halophytes
Summary
A phytosociological study was conducted as an initial assessment of the vegetation on different sites to determine the community structure and how the communities were related based on their species composition and edaphic characteristics. The communities were distinct types ranging from halophytes to xerophytes with disturbed in nature. Plant communities based on first leading dominant species (Prosopis, Avicennia, Gynandropis, Salvadora, Ipomea, Halopyrum, Limonium, Abutilon and Calotropis) were explored in the study area. Out of thirtynine plant species, Prosopis juliflora attained the highest total importance value index (I.V.I.) followed by Avicennia marina, Suaeda fruticosa and Gynandropsis gynandra. Twelve species attained third dominant position in all stands. None of the other species was in a position to get first, second and third position as a leading dominant in all stands. Most of the plant communities showed less than 50% CMI values. Prosopis in association with Pasplidium and Cenchrus community showed highest CMI value (70.00). Construction of flyover, expansion of the roads and cut down of the natural vegetation producing additional losses to flora of the region. @ JASEM
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