Abstract
There is a global concern regarding the occurrences of harmful algal blooms (HABs) and their effects on human health. Lake Victoria (LV) has been reported to face eutrophication challenges, resulting in an increase of bloom-forming cyanobacteria. This study is aimed at understanding the association of HABs and health risks at Ukerewe Island. A cross-sectional study conducted on 432 study subjects and water samples for cyanobacteria species identification were collected at LV shores. The results reveal that concentrations of cyanobacteria cells are beyond (WHO) acceptable limits; species of Microcystis aeruginosa range from 90,361.63 to 3,032.031.65 cells/mL and Anabaena spp. range from 13,310.00 to 4,814,702 cells/mL. Water usage indicates that 31% use lake water, 53% well water and 16% treated supplied pipe water. Vomiting and throat irritation was highly reported by lake water users as compared to wells and pipe water (P < 0.001). Gastrointestinal illness (GI) was significantly elevated among lake water users as compared to pipe and well water users (P < 0.001). Visible blooms in lake water were associated with GI, skin irritation and vomiting as compared to water without visible blooms (P < 0.001). The concentration of cyanobacteria blooms poses greater risks when water is used without treatment.
Highlights
Cyanobacteria blooms have some toxin producing species which pose a potential health hazard to humans and other living organisms, and the risk is high when eutrophication occurs in fresh waters
While collecting the samples the water colour was observed to be greenish with bloom on the surface, which was a clear indication that cyanobacteria member dominated the areas, four main groups of phytoplankton were found, namely Chlorophyceae, Cyanophyceae, Bacillariophyceae and Dinophyceae (Table 1)
The results indicate that cyanobacteria (Cyanophyceae) were blooming in all eight sites and they formed more than 97% of all phytoplankton in the lake
Summary
Cyanobacteria blooms have some toxin producing species which pose a potential health hazard to humans and other living organisms, and the risk is high when eutrophication occurs in fresh waters. This increase in algal biomass causes low oxygen levels in the water which leads to the mortality of aquatic organisms, as well as reducing the quality of water for human consumption.
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