CODE:
UGA:02
INSTITUTE:
Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Makerere
University, P O Box 7062, KAMPALA, Uganda
Telefax: +256-41-531061
Web site: www.makerere.ac.ug
RESEARCH GROUP:
Fundamental studies on environmental NPS
derivatives
LEADER:
Prof Henry Ssekaalo
Phone (inst): +256-41-540992
E-mail: ssekaalo@chemistry.mak.ac.ug
Staff
Academic Academic TechPhD
Other
nicians
3
Awarded degrees
S=Sandwich; L=Local
PhD
MSc/MPhil/Licentiate
Publications
International journals
National journals
Conference reports
96/02
S L
96/02
2008
Sandwich
PhD
1
2003
S L
2003
2004
S L
2004
2005
S L
2006
S L
Local
MSc/MPhil
3
2007
S L
2008
S L
1
4
2005
2006
2007
1
4
3
2008
2
1
Arrangement of workshops/symposia/conf.
Visits by IPICS staff/
Swedish scientists
Students
Local
Sandwich
PhD
MSc/MPhil
2/
3/2
No. of participants
trained in IPICS prog.
Sweden or other
country in Europe
1
IPICS funding
(total for the specified
period)
Period of
funding
1/
1
1/
2/
1/1
Regional laboratory
Fellowship Training
months
costs
(total no.) (k-SEK)
2003-2008
15
355
Other
costs
(k-SEK)
1712
Total
(k-SEK)
2067
Cooperation initiated
2002
SUMMARY OF THE RESEARCH GROUP: UGA:02
Nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulphur derivatives occur as very important compounds in the
environment and the living body systems. Presence of these compounds in surface waters is of
environmental interest, as they are known to cause eutrophication and algal blooms. Such blooms
can produce highly potent toxins, which may cause liver damage to humans. They also produce
unpleasant muddy odours. Among important derivatives of these elements in water are NH3,
NH4+, NO3 -, NO2- for nitrogen; PO32-, PO43 - for phosphorus; and H2S, HS -, S 2 -, SO3 2 -, SO4 2 for sulphur. In drinking water, excessive amounts of nitrate and nitrite may cause infertile
methaemoglobinaemia and cancer. The importance of these derivatives in natural waters calls for
their constant monitor and quantification. The current methods of quantification of these species
are lengthy and cumbersome besides interference from other anionic species. The proposed
project is intended to circumvent problems associated with the current methods and to develop
new and possibly more accurate methods of quantification based on fundamental chemical
principles and the studies thereof also intended to strengthen coordination chemistry research in
the Department of Chemistry.
Surveys of the various laboratories that are involved in water and wastewater analysis in Uganda
will be carried out. The most commonly used methods of quantification of these species will be
identified and problems associated with each compiled. The identified methods will be reviewed
in the laboratory. Water samples will be analysed using these methods. Extensive literature
searches will be done on the identified methods and attempts will be made to improve on them.
Various metal complex species will be synthesized in the laboratory and interacted with the
derivatives of the elements. The reactions for the formation of the metal complexes and the
interactions involving the metal complexes and the derivatives will be studied in detail in terms
of mechanisms involved, stoichiometry, stability of the various products formed and other
aspects thereof. The products of the interactions will be studied spectrophotometrically and the
relationship between the colour intensity and concentration of the species of interest established.
In addition, the electroactive derivatives will be determined using voltammetry. Voltammetry
being a rapid, specific and accurate method of quantification will be used to check on the
efficiency of the improved and proposed methods. Sampling points will be identified on Lake
Victoria, wetlands, waste disposal sites and other selected sites. Samples will be taken and
analysed using the improved and new methods. The methodologies of the improved/new and
existing methods will be compared in terms of cumbersomeness, easy to follow steps, costs
involved, accuracy, precision, reproducibility and other aspects thereof.
In addition, as a way of building capacity in coordination chemistry research in the Department,
the project will undertake the training of students. Students will be instructed in project writing
and required to formulate projects out of the objectives of this proposed project.
Keywords:
Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Sulphur, Derivatives, Metallic species, Interactions
Training, research visits:
Year
2005
2006
2007
2008
Participant (months)
Research host
Emmanuel Tebandeke (4) O Wendt, LU, Sweden
Emmanuel Tebandeke (4) O Wendt, LU, Sweden
Emmanuel Tebandeke (4) O Wendt, LU, Sweden
Emmanuel Tebandeke (3) O Wendt, LU, Sweden
Visit to Sweden:
Henry Ssekaalo
Emmanuel Tebandeke
Research field
Water Quality
Water Quality
Water Quality
Water Quality
2005
2007
Visits by IPICS staff/reference groups:
M Åkerblom
2002,2003, 2004, 2005, 2006
H Aminaey
2003
T Solomon (ref. group)
2002, 2003
Lars-Ivar Elding (ref. group)
2003
Afaf Kemal-Eldin (ref. group)
2003
P Sundin
2006, 2007
O Wendt
2007
Funding: (k-SEK)
Years
Training/
Exchange
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
Total
73
66
106
110
355
Other project costs
(equipment etc.)
329
248
328
228
233
354
1712
Total
329
248
393
294
339
464
2067