Greener Journal of Biological Sciences

Greener Journal of  Biological Sciences Vol. 3 (1), pp. 021-030, January 2013

 © 2013 Authors

Research Paper

Manuscript Number: 112012278

Landuse Effects on Cirhanyobowa River Water Quality in D.R. Congo

Bagalwa M.^1*, Karume K.², Bayongwa C.³, Ndahama N.⁴, 

Ndegeyi K.⁵

^1,2Université Evangélique en Afrique, Faculty of Agriculture, B.P. 3323 Bukavu, D.R. Congo

1,3,5Centre de Recherche en Sciences Naturelles/Lwiro, Department of Biology, B.P. 02 D.R.Congo

²Observatoire Volcanologique de Goma, Department of Geochemistry and Environment, D.R. Congo

⁴Centre de Recherche en Sciences Naturelles/Lwiro, Department of Environment D.R.Congo

*Corresponding Author’s Email: mashibagalwa@ yahoo. fr

Abstract:

Cirhanyobowa River in D.R. Congo, is extensively used as washing and drinking water source by surrounding population as well as by gorillas. The study was carried out in three sites on Cirhanyobowa River to evaluate the effect of landuse (forest, mining and agricultural) on Cirhanyobwa River water quality. Surface water temperature, DO, BOD5, nitrogen and phosphorus were measured, and aquatic macroinvertebrates collected monthly for a period of one year and measured according to standards analytical and biological methods. Results have shown changes in water quality for the forest, mining and agricultural sites but slight changes in number of taxa at the forested and mining sites with respectively 43 and 42 species; and significant changes in agricultural site with 27 species. Chemical and physical parameters measured at the three sites did not seem sufficient to account for all observed differences in macroinvertebrate communities, suggesting some unmeasured toxicity. It was established that there is water quality deterioration along Cirhanyobwa River due to surrounding population anthropogenic activities.

Keywords: Cirhanyobowa River, Landuse, Macroinvertebrates, Toxicity, Water quality.

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