ANAKON is a prestigious conference dedicated to various aspects of applied analytical chemistry. It is the leading joint conference for German, Austrian, and Swiss analytical chemistry societies, and serves as a platform for scientific exchange, showcasing new methods and equipment, and fostering direct dialogue among researchers. At ANAKON 2025 from 10 to 13 March 2025 at the University of Leipzig, Germany Timothy Omara presented his research findings titled: ‘‘Microplastic analysis by complementary analytical techniques: μ-FTIR and pyrolysis GC-MS‘’.
The conference provided a platform to exchange analytical experiences, ideas and techniques in environmental monitoring for good health and clean water. Timothy was able to engage with leading research groups and industrial experts in the emerging area of microplastics and plastic recycling research. The conference also availed him with an exceptional opportunity to explore innovative and sustainable approaches to environmental monitoring, water and biodiversity conservation based on experiences from around the world.
The topic presented assessed the occurrence and quantities of small plastics [,,microplastics’’] in surface water of Lake Victoria, the source of River Nile and the world’s largest tropical lake. It also investigated the influence of seasons and anthropogenic activities along the lake shores on the levels of microplastics, which is important for developing targeted strategies for the removal of microplastics from water that is used by more than 20 million people in the Lake Victoria basin Microplastics have attracted research interest recently due to their ubiquitous presence and potential toxic effects. Despite the increasing attention, standardized methods for microplastic analysis have yet to be universally accepted. We demonstrated the suitability of microscopy and other advanced analytical techniques for the analysis of microplastics in water from Lake Victoria, Uganda. All the water sampled had microplastics, with a total of 191 plastic particles. The highest mean abundance (87,000 particles/km2) was found in dry season samples from Katosi fish landing beach. Blue fragments and fibers made of polyethylene and polypropylene, and measuring 3.0–4.9 mm were the most common. The level of microplastics were lower than previously reported in Lake Victoria and most lakes in other parts of the world. Port Bell was the most contaminated fish landing beach during the wet season, likely due to the release of stormwater from Kampala City through Nakivubo Channel into Lake Victoria.
Timothy Omara is a doctoral candidate at the Institute of Chemistry of Renewable Resources, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU) and an Assistant Lecturer of Chemistry (contract position) at Makerere University, Uganda. His PhD research, supervised by Prof. Stefan Böhmdofer, is embedded in the APPEAR funded project Environmental Chemistry for Sustainable Development | ECSDevelop. The doctoral research focuses on investigating the sources, seasonal variations, trophic transfer and removal of microplastics in the Ugandan portion of Lake Victoria. Prior to joining BOKU in 2023, Timothy worked as an Analyst and Deputy-in-Charge of the Chemistry Division (Food Safety Laboratories) of Uganda National Bureau of Standards, Mbale Branch. He holds a Master of Science in Analytical Chemistry obtained from Moi University (Kenya) under the World Bank-funded Center of Excellence in Phytochemicals, Textile and Renewable Energy (ACE II PTRE).
