Aquatic ecosystems in Tasmania face threat due to human activities

An increase in human activity is posing a threat to natural aquatic ecosystems in Tanzania and contributing to environmental damage and ecological changes. Doctoral research carried out by Hezron Emmanuel Nonga shows that agriculture and livestock farming leads to eutrophication in lakes and the proliferation of cyanobacteria, which produce microcystins. New information about microcystins and other mycotoxins in Tanzanian lakes is useful for appraising the risk linked to drinking water and edible fish, which in turn affects the health of both humans and animals.

In Tanzania, there are varied wetland areas and aquatic ecosystems, which are productive, but also vulnerable. Hezron Emmanuel Nonga's doctoral research project has studied how human activities affect ecosystems in wetlands and has also examined the incidence of cyanobacteria, the production of microcystins, and the possible effects of these toxins on wild species. The study was carried out on three alkaline lakes in the north of Tanzania. In addition, similar experiments were conducted in the freshwater Lake Victoria in the Northwest of the country.

source: Terra green