Department of Biological sciences

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Browsing Department of Biological sciences by Author "Atuhaire, Mavis Gift"

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    Assessing production and nutrient composition of vermicompost of biodegradable domestic waste in Kasokoso slum in Kira municipality, Wakiso district
    (Kyambogo University (Unpublished work), 2024-10) Atuhaire, Mavis Gift
    The study assessed the production of compost from organic domestic waste through vermicomposting. Vermicomposting is not well studied as a method of waste management in urban slums. This study uses Kasokoso slums as s case study to assess production and nutrient composition of biodegradable domestic waste through vermicomposting in slum amidst challenges of the densely populated urban slums. A total of 356 households were interviewed about waste handling methods used in the area and the challenges faced in waste handling using random sampling technique. An experiment aimed at investigating the effect of worms on soil nutrient levels over a period of four months was also carried out from November 2022 to February 2023. Five boxes containing organic waste and worms constituted the experimental sample, while the control sample comprised of five boxes of waste without worms. Samples from the experiment were collected on day one, and subsequently, monthly for the next three months. The results on waste handling practices in Kasokoso Village revealed that kitchen refuse (96.3%), plastic (31.3%), glass (22.5%), and animal waste (13.6%) were the main components of household waste. Disposal methods such as burning (32.4%), dumping in designated place (13.6%), waste pit (13.5%), open space (8.1%) and Burying (2.7%) were used by the community to manage domestically produced waste. Open dumping poses environmental and health risks. Whereas Informal waste management networks involving local individuals and collectors play a vital role, formal waste management services exist but face limitations due to cost and accessibility issues. Encouraging sustainable practices like recycling and composting is essential to tackle waste management challenges. The analysis of vermicompost quality showed an increase nutrient composition; of 5.8% nitrogen in the treatment as compared to 0.9% in the control, moisture content of 8.9% in the treatment compared to a 2.5% change in the control, and pH of 2.8% and 6.4% change in the treatment and control samples respectively. Although statistically insignificant, these nutrients were slightly higher in the experimental sample (P value of 0.161> 0.05). Challenges in waste disposal are accelerated by poor sanitation, leading to waste accumulation in public and residential areas. This results in health risks and diseases like cholera and bilharzia. The lack of a proper waste management system and limited resources make waste collection and transportation expensive and irregular. Improper waste disposal obstructs water channels, leading to damaged roads, causing stagnant water, increased flood risk, and environmental degradation. This research contributes valuable insights to the pool of knowledge regarding environmentally sustainable waste management techniques within densely populated slums of urban areas using vermicomposting. However, there is need to further research on vermicomposting using a different species of earth worms besides the red earth used in this study.