Air Quality in Rubavu District and Water Quality of Lake Kivu Following Mt Nyiragongo Activity
Following reports by the Volcanological Observatory of Goma of increased activity from Mt Nyiragongo, the Rwanda Environment Management Authority deployed a team to assess the quality of the air in Rubavu District and the water quality of Lake Kivu.
To conduct the assessment, the Rwanda Environment Management Authority installed 6 additional mobile air quality monitoring units and took numerous samples from Lake Kivu. The findings indicate that the water quality of Lake Kivu remains stable with no observable changes from the long term average.
Measurements show that the quality of the air in Rubavu District is currently unhealthy, with increased levels of particulate matter (PM 2.5) being recorded over the last three days. While the air quality has worsened in recent days, this is likely the result of human activity such as pollution from motorised transport and wood and charcoal burning rather than volcanic activity, which would have led to increased levels of sulfur dioxide (SO2).
Due to the poor air quality, residents in Rubavu District are encouraged to continue wearing masks and limit outdoor physical activity where possible. Rwandans are also encouraged to download the Rwanda Air Quality Index mobile application from the Google Play Store or visit aq.rema.gov.rwfor real time updates on air quality across the country.
The Rwanda Environment Management Authority and Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board will continue to assess any impacts that may arise from activity linked to Mt Nyiragongo by monitoring air pollutants including nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3), sulfur dioxide (SO2), particulate matter (PM), carbon monoxide (CO), and carbon dioxide (CO2). The acidity (pH), conductivity, oxygen concentration and turbidity of Lake Kivu during this period of increased volcanic activity will also be monitored and results will be shared with the public.
Topics
More posts
The Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA) through the Forest Landscape Restoration in Amayaga Region (Green Amayaga) Project, has on 29th…
The Gabon’s Minister of Forests, Ocean, Environment and Climate Change, Professor Lee White has on 24th June 2022 visited Nyandungu Eco Park, which…
The Governments of Rwanda and the United Kingdom together with the Presidency of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) have on 23rd…
COP President, the Rt. Hon. Alok Sharma MP, visited the Africa Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Cooling and Cold-chain (ACES) during his…
The Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA), the Green Climate Fund (GCF) accredited entities and other development partners met today 16th…
The Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA) in partnership with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) awarded youth and women with…
On 3rd June 2022, the Government of Rwanda and development partners celebrated the World Environment Day (WED) which is celebrated annually on 5th…
From 28th May 2022, the Rwanda Environment Management Authority and partners started a whole week of activities – the National Environment Week –…
Bugesera, takiki ya 2 Kamena, 2022- Ikigo cy’Igihugu cyo Kubungabunga Ibidukikije (REMA) binyuze mu mushinga LDCFII cyahuje hamwe Imbini Z’…