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George Washington University

Publication Date

Spring 2014

Program Name

Tanzania-Zanzibar: Coastal Ecology and Natural Resource Management

Abstract

Urbanized areas in Tanzania, including Zanzibar Town on Unguja, are struggling to deal with the large amount of waste generated by growing populations and increasing tourist industries. In 2010, the waters surrounding Stone Town, a subsection of Zanzibar Town, were found to be highly polluted by fecal waste. This study attempted to determine whether pollution has lessened or worsened in the past four years. Furthermore, environmental components of the coastal area, particularly tides, were tested in order to determine whether they had an impact on pollution in the waters. Using the membrane filtration method, mean enterococci were quantified in two areas of Stone Town, Africa House and the Port. Results suggest that the pollution at both sites has worsened and continues to pose a serious risk to public health. Furthermore, spring and neap tides had a significant impact on enterococci concentrations at Africa House, but how these environmental fluctuations influenced concentrations at the Port was not entirely clear. If measures are not taken in the future to improve the pollution in Stone Town’s coastal waters, there could be serious consequences to the local economy and the community’s health.

Disciplines

Natural Resources and Conservation | Natural Resources Management and Policy | Tourism

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