We randomly surveyed 10 sites and focused on urban areas of Kampala division that had water sources such as springs, wells and streams with close proximity to sources of PAHs.
We developed a checklist to find out the water sources that communities are using for different activities. The places that we surveyed include; Kikoni (3 sites), Kawempe (Nabukalu well), Bwaise II, Katanga, Nakulabye, Gayaza, Kalerwe and Jinja Kaloli (Maganjo Stone Quarry).
CHECK LIST
MAKERERE UNIVERSITY
iGEM TEAM 2023
TEAM MEMBERS
MICHAEL OKEA | IAN ARINDA | |
GLORIA KAYUKIRO | SHAKIRAH NAMULI | |
PEACE KOBUSINGYE | ARNOLD SSEBWATO | |
JEROME BRIGHT OGWENRWOT | NYANGOMA EMILY | |
SAKETH RAM BELIDE | VIGNESH N | ABITEGEKA BRIDGET |
BIOSENSOR FOR THE DETECTION OF TOXIC PAHS IN THE ENVIRONMENT
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: DR. JULIUS MULINDWA
Specific Objective one
- To Screen the most abundant toxic polyaromatic hydrocarbon in water.
RATIONAL DESIGN FOR THE SURVEY
Sample: Water from streams, springs, wells or boreholes in slum/urban areas.
Sampling site: Wells, streams, springs or boreholes.
Indicators
- Industrial activities such as chemical manufacturing; many chemicals are produced using high-temperature processes that can release PAHs. This includes the production of plastics, rubber, synthetic fibers e.t.c.
- Transportation: Exhaust from motor vehicles is a major source of PAHs in urban areas. This includes emissions from cars, trucks, buses, and trains. Road construction and maintenance activities also release PAHs into the air.
- Wood burning: Wood burning in fireplaces and stoves is another common source of PAHs in urban areas. This includes both residential and commercial wood-burning activities.
- Construction activities: Construction activities, such as demolition and excavation, can generate large amounts of dust that contains PAHs
- Waste incineration: Burning of municipal solid waste and medical waste in incinerators is another significant source of PAHs in urban areas.
- Oil and chemical spills: Accidents involving oil and chemical spills can release large amounts of PAHs into the environment.
STEPS
- Arrival at the survey site (slum/urban area)
- Inquiries to some community members where the wells/springs/boreholes/streams of their area are located.
- Location of the wells/springs/boreholes or streams.
- Confirmation with the checklist.
- Recording of the coordinates of the area using a GPS.
CHECKLIST
- Kind of water source
- Well
- Borehole
- Stream
- Spring
- Activity leading to production of PAHs
- Industrial activity
- Transportation
- Wood burning
- Construction activities
- Others
- Proximity of the activity to the water source
- Less than 50m
- 50m
- More than 50m
- Frequency of use by the community
- Daily
- Weekly
- Monthly
- Never
Link to Surveyed Sites
https://earth.google.com/earth/d/1yimqcKrSM-UIqdKDlvnvdCfaGYQt6kcV?usp=sharing
PHOTOS FROM THE SURVEY
SAMPLING
Due to resource limitation, also one of the reasons why we need to develop a biosensor, we concentrated on only 5 sites out of the places we surveyed. These were Gayaza, Jinja Kalori/Maganjo Stone Quarry, Katanga, Kikoni and Bwaise II.
Link to the sampled areas
https://earth.google.com/earth/d/1bm6wK5rZdunuFcR-Re7NcKBYn3Mf9FMa?usp=sharing