Your search found 9 records
1 Woldetsadik, D.; Drechsel, Pay; Keraita, B.; Marschner, B.; Itanna, F.; Gebrekidan, H. 2016. Effects of biochar and alkaline amendments on cadmium immobilization, selected nutrient and cadmium concentrations of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) in two contrasting soils. SpringerPlus, 5:1-16. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40064-016-2019-6]
Alkalinity ; Cadmium ; Immobilization ; Nutrients ; Cadmium ; Leaf vegetables ; Lettuces ; Soil sampling ; pH ; Faecal coliforms ; Nitrates ; Carbon ; Heavy metals ; Waste treatment
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H047506)
(0.85 MB)
To assess the efficiency of seven treatments including biochars produced from dried faecal matter and manures as stabilizing agents of cadmium (Cd)-spiked soils, lettuce was grown in glasshouse on two contrasting soils. The soils used were moderately fertile silty loam and less fertile sandy loam and the applied treatments were 7 % w/w. The reduction of bioavailable Cd (ammonium nitrate extractable) and its phytoavailability for lettuce were used as assessment criteria in the evaluation of stabilization performance of each treatment. Moreover, the agronomic values of the treatments were also investigated. Ammonium nitrate extraction results indicated that faecal matter biochar, cow manure biochar and lime significantly reduced bioavailable Cd by 84–87, 65–68 and 82–91 %, respectively, as compared to the spiked controls. Unpredictably, coffee husk biochar induced significant increment of Cd in NH4NO3 extracts. The immobilization potential of faecal matter biochar and lime were superior than the other treatments. However, lime and egg shell promoted statistically lower yield and P, K and Zn concentrations response of lettuce plants compared to the biochar treatments. The lowest Cd and highest P tissue concentrations of lettuce plants were induced by faecal matter and cow manure biochar treatments in both soils. Additionally, the greatest Cd phytoavailability reduction for lettuce was induced by poultry litter and cow manure biochars in the silty loam soil. Our results indicate that faecal matter and animal manure biochars have shown great potential to promote Cd immobilization and lettuce growth response in heavily contaminated agricultural fields.
2 Woldetsadik, D.; Drechsel, Pay; Marschner, B.; Itanna, F.; Gebrekidan, H. 2017. Effect of biochar derived from faecal matter on yield and nutrient content of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) in two contrasting soils. Environmental Systems Research, 6(1):1-12. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40068-017-0082-9]
Waste management ; Faecal sludge ; Nutrients ; Septic tanks ; Nitrogen fertilizers ; Lettuces ; Soil amendments ; Soil fertility ; Biochar ; Composting ; Residues ; Yields
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H047945)
http://environmentalsystemsresearch.springeropen.com/track/pdf/10.1186/s40068-017-0082-9?site=environmentalsystemsresearch.springeropen.com
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H047945.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H047945.pdf
(1.05 MB)
Background: Faecal matter biochar offers an interesting value proposition where the pyrolysis process guaranties a 100% pathogen elimination, as well as significant reduction in transport and storage weight and volume. Therefore, to evaluate the effect of (1) biochar produced from dried faecal matter from household based septic tanks, and (2) N fertilizer, as well as their interaction on yield and nutrient status of lettuce (Lactuca sativa), lettuce was grown over two growing cycles under glasshouse on two contrasting soils amended once at the start with factorial combination of faecal matter biochar at four rates (0, 10, 20 and 30 t ha-1) with 0, 25 and 50 kg N ha-1 in randomized complete block design. Results: For both soils, maximum fresh yields were recorded with biochar and combined application of biochar with N treatments. However, the greatest biochar addition effects (with or without N) with regard to relative yield were seen in less fertile sandy loam soil. We have also observed that faecal matter biochar application resulted in noticeable positive residual effects on lettuce yield and tissue nutrient concentrations in the 2nd growing cycle. For both soils, most nutrients analyzed (N, P, K, Mg, Cu and Zn) were within or marginally above optimum ranges for lettuce under biochar amendment. Conclusions: The application of faecal matter biochar enhances yield and tissue nutrient concentrations of lettuce in two contrasting soils, suggesting that faecal matter biochar could be used as an effective fertilizer for lettuce production at least for two growing cycles. Moreover, the conversion of the faecal matter feedstock into charred product may offer additional waste management benefit as it offers an additional (microbiologically safe) product compared to the more common co-composting.
3 Woldetsadik, D.; Drechsel, Pay; Keraita, B.; Itanna, F.; Erko, B.; Gebrekidan, H. 2017. Microbiological quality of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) irrigated with wastewater in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and effect of green salads washing methods. International Journal of Food Contamination, 4:1-9. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40550-017-0048-8]
Microbiological analysis ; Leaf vegetables ; Lettuces ; Wastewater irrigation ; Faecal coliforms ; Helminths ; WHO ; Contamination ; Irrigation water ; Risk reduction ; Bacteriological analysis ; Farmland ; Wastewater treatment ; Households ; Water pollution ; Water use / Ethiopia / Addis Ababa
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H047981)
http://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186%2Fs40550-017-0048-8.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H047981.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H047981.pdf
(561 KB)
Background: In Addis Ababa, where irrigation water for vegetable production is commonly derived from the highly polluted Akaki river, information on microbial contamination of water and irrigated vegetable is scanty. An assessment was done to determine the microbiological quality of irrigation water and lettuce harvested from 10 urban farming sites of Addis Ababa. The efficacy of 5 lettuce washing methods were also assessed. A total of 210 lettuce and 90 irrigation water samples were analyzed for faecal coliform and helminth eggs population levels. Results: The mean faecal coliform levels of irrigation water ranged from 4.29-5.61 log10 MPN 100 ml-1, while on lettuce, the concentrations ranged from 3.46-5.03 log10 MPN 100 g-1. Helminth eggs and larvae were detected in 80% of irrigation water and 61% of lettuce samples. Numbers ranged from 0.9-3.1 eggs 1000 ml-1 and 0.8-3.7 eggs 100 g-1 wet weight for irrigation water and lettuce, respectively. The helminth eggs identified included those of Ascaris lumbricoides, Hookworm, Enterobius vermicularis, Trichuris trichiura, Taenia and Strongloyides larvae. Ascaris lumbricoides and Hookworm were most prevalent in both irrigation water and lettuce samples. Compared with the WHO recommendations and international standards, the faecal coliform and helminth eggs levels in irrigation water and lettuce samples exceeded the recommended levels. Irrespective of the tested washing methods, faecal coliform and helminth eggs levels were somehow reduced. Among the washing methods, potable tap water washing - rinsing (2 min) followed by dipping in 15 000 ppm vinegar solution for a minute supported the highest faecal coliorm reduction of 1.7 log10 units, whereas lowest reduction of 0.8 log10 units was achieved for the same procedure without vinegar. Conclusion: Compared with international standards, both faecal coliform and helminth eggs levels exceeded recommended thresholds in water and lettuce, but still in a potential risk range which can be easily mitigated if farmers and households are aware of the potential risk. Aside preventing occupational exposure, potential risk reduction programs should target households which have so far no guidance on how best to wash vegetables. The result of the present study suggest that the vinegar based washing methods are able to reduce faecal coliform towards low level while the physical washing with running water may help to substantially decrease potential risk of helminth parasitic infections.
4 Woldetsadik, D.; Drechsel, Pay; Keraita, B.; Itanna, F.; Gebrekidan, H. 2017. Heavy metal accumulation and health risk assessment in wastewater-irrigated urban vegetable farming sites of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. International Journal of Food Contamination, 4:1-13. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40550-017-0053-y]
Heavy metals ; Public health ; Health hazards ; Wastewater irrigation ; Urban areas ; Vegetable growing ; Irrigation water ; Soils ; Soil organic matter ; pH ; Crops ; Elements ; Farming systems / Ethiopia / Addis Ababa
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H048133)
https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186%2Fs40550-017-0053-y.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H048133.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H048133.pdf
(699 KB)
Background: Wastewater irrigation for vegetable production is a highly prevalent practice in Addis Ababa and a number of articles have been published on wastewater-irrigated soils and vegetables contaminated with heavy metals. However, to the best of our knowledge, an insight into assessment of human health risks associated with the consumption of vegetable crops grown on wastewater-irrigated soils is non-existent in the city. Long-term effect of wastewater irrigation on the build-up of heavy metals in soils and selected vegetable crops in Addis Ababa urban vegetable farming sites (10) was evaluated. By calculating estimated daily intakes (EDIs) and target hazard quotients (THQs) of metals, health risk associated with the consumption of the analyzed vegetables was also evaluated. Results: The heavy metal concentrations in irrigation water and soils did not exceed the recommended maximum limits (RMLs). Moreover, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni and Zn concentrations in all analyzed vegetables were lower than the RML standards. In contrast, Pb concentrations were 1.4–3.9 times higher. Results of two way ANOVA test showed that variation in metals concentrations were significant (p < 0.001) across farming site, vegetable type and site x vegetable interaction. The EDI and THQ values showed that there would be no potential health risk to local inhabitants due to intake of individual metal if one or more of the analyzed vegetables are consumed. Furthermore, total target hazard quotients (TTHQs) for the combined metals due to all analyzed vegetables were lower than 1, suggesting no potential health risk even to highly exposed local inhabitants. Conclusions: There is a great respite that toxic metals like Pb and Cd have not posed potential health risk even after long term (more than 50 years) use of this water for irrigation. However, intermittent monitoring of the metals from irrigation water, in soil and crops may be required to follow/prevent their build-up in the food chain.
5 Woldetsadik, D.; Drechsel, Pay; Keraita, B.; Itanna, F.; Gebrekidan, H. 2018. Farmers’ perceptions on irrigation water contamination, health risks and risk management measures in prominent wastewater-irrigated vegetable farming sites of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Environment Systems and Decisions, 38(1):52-64. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10669-017-9665-2]
Farmer participation ; Irrigation water ; Water pollution ; Contamination ; Health hazards ; Risk management ; Risk reduction ; Wastewater irrigation ; Vegetable growing ; Capacity building ; Educational courses / Ethiopia / Addis Ababa
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H048408)
The use of wastewater to produce food crops particularly vegetables is very prevalent in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This practice may pose health risks to farm workers and consumers. Hence, the study was designed to evaluate farmers’ perceptions on irrigation water quality, health risks and health risk mitigation measures in four wastewater-irrigated urban vegetable farming sites in Addis Ababa. Data were collected on farm through 263 individual interviews and 12 focus group discussions. The findings showed that despite differences in levels of knowledge and awareness on health risks, farmers appear informed about the contamination of their irrigation water. The difference in perception to quality consideration of Akaki River/irrigation water is highlighted by the result of Kruskal–Wallis H test analysis which shows significant mean value (1.33) of positive perception toward the water quality by male than female farmers. Interestingly, significant difference (p < 0.05) in mean values of awareness toward problems of eating unwashed vegetables is also found between male and female farmers where females seemed to be more aware. Conversely, no significant difference was found in mean value of perception and awareness toward vegetables quality. Among the perceived health risks, skin problems were top-rated health risk while eye burn, sore feet and abdominal pains were rated low across the four farming sites. Although statistically not significant, perception toward consumption-related health risk differed with gender: females assigned relatively high mean score. Irrespective of the farming site and gender differences, the most accepted health risk reduction measures were health promotion programs and cessation of irrigation before harvesting. In view of crop restriction measures, females assigned significantly (p = 0.044) low mean score to planting non-food produce. Akaki-Addis farmers suitability perceptions of planting non-food produce and non-raw eaten crops were significantly (p < 0.001) higher than the other farming sites. Therefore, effective site and gender-specific educational programs have the potential for clarifying farmers and consumers’ risks and risk management perceptions and improving practical knowledge, which in turn may help identify adoption barriers, opportunities and incentives.
6 Njenga, M.; Gebrezgabher, Solomie; Mendum, R.; Adam-Bradford, A.; Woldetsadik, D.; Okia, C. 2020. Circular economy solutions for resilient refugee and host communities in East Africa. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 8p. (Resource Recovery and Reuse (RRR) in Refugee Settlements in Africa: Project Brief Series 1)
Refugees ; Human settlements ; Communities ; Economic systems ; Resource recovery ; Resource management ; Reuse ; Resilience ; Food security ; Energy sources ; Water use ; Sustainability ; Gender ; Women ; Stakeholders ; Social aspects / East Africa / Ethiopia / Kenya / Uganda / Tierkidi / Kule / Kalobeyei / Kakuma / Rhino / Imvepi
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H049941)
https://rrr-refugee.iwmi.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/42/2020/09/rrr-in-refugee-settlements-in-africa-project-brief-series-no-1.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H049941.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H049941.pdf
(0.97 MB) (990 KB)
7 Woldetsadik, D.; Llorent-Martinez, E. J.; Gebrezgabher, Solomie; Njenga, M.; Mendum, R.; Castillo-Lopez, R.; Fernandez-de Cordova, M. L.; Hailu, H.; Evans, C. T.; Madani, N.; Mafika, T. P.; Fleming, D. E. B. 2022. Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) in a refugee context in East Africa: kitchen gardening helps with mineral provision. SN Applied Sciences, 4(1):32. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-021-04898-6]
Food consumption ; Abelmoschus esculentus ; Refugees ; Settlement ; Domestic gardens ; Mineral content ; Recommended dietary allowances ; Nutrition ; Women ; Children ; Public health / East Africa / Ethiopia / Uganda / Gambella / Arua
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H050848)
https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s42452-021-04898-6.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H050848.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H050848.pdf
(2.20 MB) (2.20 MB)
Kitchen gardening is considered a way to reconnect with agriculture and complement the cereal-based relief food offered to refugees in East Africa. This work aimed at profiling mineral content of okra in four refugee camps and settlements located in Ethiopia and Uganda and its contribution to adequate intake (AIs) or recommended dietary allowances (RDAs) for young children and pregnant and lactating women (PLW). The study also evaluated the applicability of portable X-ray fluorescence (PXRF) as compared with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for mineral profiling of okra powder samples. The contents of minerals (mg kg-1) from the ICP-MS readings were in the following ranges: K (14,385–33,294), Ca (2610–14,090), P (3178–13,248), Mg (3896–7986), Cu (3.81–19.3), Fe (75.7–1243), Zn (33–141) and Mn (23.1–261). Regardless of geographic origin, at low-end consumption probability (17 g day-1 for young children and 68 g day-1 for PLW), okra could contribute 15% (2.7–12.9%) AI for macro-minerals (K and Ca). In addition, the contributions to RDA values for Fe and Zn, elements of known public health interest, ranged from 4.5 to 34.7% for young children. Interestingly, regression lines revealed strong agreement between ICP-MS and PXRF readings for Mn and Zn, with R2 values>0.91. This information is useful in support of nutrition-sensitive kitchen gardening programs through scaling culturally important crops in refugee settings.
8 Adam-Bradford, A.; Mendum, R.; Njenga, M.; Woldetsadik, D.; Acanakwo, E. F.; Gebrezgabher, Solomie. 2022. Circular bio-economy innovations for resilient refugee and host communities in East Africa. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 12p. (Resource Recovery and Reuse (RRR) in Refugee Settlements in Africa: Project Brief Series 3)
Circular economy ; Bioeconomy ; Innovation ; Refugees ; Human settlements ; Communities ; Resilience ; Home gardens ; Agroforestry ; Cooking ; Energy ; Nexus approaches ; Briquettes ; Fuelwood ; Resource recovery ; Reuse ; Water availability ; Wastewater irrigation ; Gender ; Women ; Learning ; Training ; Stakeholders ; Households / East Africa / Ethiopia / Kenya / Uganda
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H051445)
(1.95 MB)
9 Woldetsadik, D.; Hailu, H.; Gebrezgabher, Solomie; Adam-Bradford, A.; Mengistu, T.; Evans, C. T.; Madani, N.; Mafika, T. P.; Fleming, D. E. B. 2023. Estimating the potential of spices for mineral provision in a refugee context in East Africa. SN Applied Sciences, 5(1):1. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-022-05224-4]
Refugees ; Recommended dietary allowances ; Nutrition ; Spices ; Minerals ; Turmeric / East Africa / Ethiopia / Kenya / Uganda
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H051893)
https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s42452-022-05224-4.pdf?pdf=button
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H051893.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H051893.pdf
(1.12 MB) (1.12 MB)
Micronutrient deficiency remains an enormous problem in refugee settings. Transforming refugees’ food systems through the scaling up of kitchen gardening and fortifying relief food crops with minor food components including nutrient-dense spices can help improve the quality of staple foods. Globally, spices are indispensable in the daily diet and play an important role in the socio-cultural setting of different communities. Forty turmeric and curry powder samples were collected from different market establishments and geographic locations in East Africa. The samples were analyzed for selected elements using Portable X-Ray Fluorescence (PXRF). The contents of potassium (K), calcium (Ca), zinc (Zn) and strontium (Sr) in turmeric powder were statistically different among geographic origins (Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda). We also aimed to determine if a small portion of spices (turmeric (5 g) and curry (4 g)) would contribute to an adequate intake (AI) or recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for selected minerals, for refugee men and women aged between 19 and 50 years as defined by the Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine (IOM). For the reference groups, the contributions of turmeric and curry powder to AI/RDA for K, Ca and Zn varied between 0.48 to 4.13%. On the other hand, turmeric was identified to contribute > 20% AI/RDA for refugee men and women aged between 19 and 50 years for two micro minerals: manganese (Mn) and iron (Fe). Considering turmeric and curry powder of East African origins are good sources of minerals and present acceptable toxic metal(loid)s loads coupled with low cost, these spices particularly turmeric should be more widely popularized and recommended for food-to-spice fortification among the refugee population located in East Africa.
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