Effects of Catchment Land Use on Nutrients and Heavy Metals Inflows into Maragua and Mathioya Wetlands in Murang’a County, Kenya

Evans Kipkemoi, Warren Andrew Andayi, B.M. Mwangi, Eric C. Njagi and Margaret W. Kariuki
Additional contact information
Evans Kipkemoi: Department of Physical and Biological Sciences, Murang’a University of Technology, P.O. Box 75-10200, Murang’a, Kenya
Warren Andrew Andayi: Department of Physical and Biological Sciences, Murang’a University of Technology, P.O. Box 75-10200, Murang’a, Kenya
B.M. Mwangi: Department of Physical and Biological Sciences, Murang’a University of Technology, P.O. Box 75-10200, Murang’a, Kenya
Eric C. Njagi: Department of Physical Sciences, Chuka University, P.O. Box 109-60400, Chuka, Kenya
Margaret W. Kariuki: Department of Physical and Applied Sciences, Kirinyaga University, P.O. Box 143-10300, Kerugoya, Kenya

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Applied Science, 2025, vol. 10, issue 4, 494-506

Abstract: Wetland ecosystems in Murang’a County are diminishing due to increased catchment land use practices. Part of wetlands have been converted into farmlands where various agricultural activities are carried out while some parts have been converted into settlement points. Agricultural practices carried out along wetland ecosystems involve the use of excessive agrochemicals during crop production which later contribute to wetland pollution through nutrients and heavy metals inflows. This study aimed at assessing the effects of catchment land use on nutrient and heavy metals inflows into Maragua and Mathioya river basins in Murang’a County. Water samples were collected using the Grab technique, packed in plastic containers, kept in cool boxes, and transported to the research laboratory for analysis. Phosphate and nitrate concentrations were analyzed across different seasons, sampling stations, and sampling levels. During dry season, the mean phosphate concentration was 0.0259 ± 0.0051 mg/L with a standard deviation of 0.0124 mg/L. In wet conditions, the mean phosphate concentration increased to 0.1631 ± 0.1509 mg/L with a standard deviation of 0.3697 mg/L. For nitrate, the mean concentration during dry conditions was 9223.37 ± 2672.33 mg/L with a standard deviation of 6545.84 mg/L, and during wet conditions, it remained the same at 9223.37 ± 2008.17 mg/L with a standard deviation of 4919.00 mg/L.

Date: 2025
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