tailieunhanh - The Assessment of Water Quality and Pollution in Tanzania

Management of water pollution requires a concise definition of the problem to be managed. The first task is recognition of an alleged water quality problem as being "a problem". This assumes an ability to identify all relevant water quality problems. The next task is to make sure that useful information is acquired that enables identification and assessment of existing and potential future water quality problems. Thus managers must be able to identify problem areas that require intervention within the water quality sector or the sector for which they are responsible. Nevertheless, even if all existing and potential water quality problems. | The Assessment of Water Quality and Pollution in Tanzania Salim M. Mohammed University of Dar es Salaam Institute of Marine Sciences . Box 668 Zanzibar TANZANIA INTRODUCTION The coastal area of Tanzania Fig. 1 encompasses a number of habitats that include coral reefs mangroves seagrass beds sand banks wetlands and beaches among others. In addition to being essential linkages in the overall functioning of the coastal area these coastal habitats support various resources both living and non-living. In addition for generations the coastal area has provided life support to coastal communities where such activities as fisheries and related activities have played an important role in the social and economic development of local communities. In recent years coastal tourism and mariculture have immerged as being potentially among most important economic activities nationally. The well being of these habitats and resources and the various activities taking place within or near coastal waters depend to a large extent on good water quality. However expanding coastal populations and emerging industrial activities are exerting ever-increasing pressures on coastal waters thus negatively affecting water quality. As a result coastal pollution is increasingly becoming a major issue in Tanzania. Reports indicate that coastal waters fronting such cities and towns as Dar es Salaam Tanga Zanzibar and Mtwara are said to be grossly polluted. Furthermore land-based activities such as agriculture industry and mineral exploitation have further contributed to the degradation of coastal water quality. 1 This report gives a summary of the available information about water quality and pollution in Tanzania. Water quality research in Tanzania Research in pollution and water quality does not have a long history in Tanzania. During a literature search preceding this synthesis the earliest records found on this aspect were from the early 1970s. For example a 1971 report by the Danish Isotope .