Dissertation title: 

Impacts of anthropogenic activities on the ecology and ecosystem service delivery of Lake Ziway, Ethiopia

Group: Aquatic Ecology and Water Quality Management, Wageningen University
Promotors: prof. dr ir PJ van den Brink
Co-promotor: dr JH Faber and dr AA Mengiste

Abstract:

Pollutants released from agricultural and urbanization activities are majorly threatening aquatic ecosystems particularly in African. Lake Ziway, located in central Ethiopian rift valley region, is also under threats of pollution due to the intensive agricultural activities in its catchment area and urban wastes released into the lake from nearby towns. The PhD thesis aims to assess the impacts of pollutants sourced from the activities on the ecology and ecosystem delivery of Lake Ziway to support its protection. The thesis results demonstrated the water quality deterioration of Lake Ziway overtime due to pollution by various contaminants included nutrients, metals microplastics and pesticides. It also discloses the toxicological effects and risks of pesticides to tropical aquatic organisms, which may impair the capacity of the lake to deliver its ecosystem services. Lastly, intervention measures that help reduce the pollution and promote the protection and conservation of Lake Ziway were pointed out.

Extra information:

• Internet broadcast of the promotion at WURTV
• Route description and buildings Wageningen
• The full text of this dissertation will become available in Wageningen Dissertation Abstracts after the PhD defense.