Impact of Industries and Urbanization on Water Resource in Mojo River Catchment
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2007-03
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Abstract
This work is the study of the hydrogeochemical conditions of the 1506km2 Mojo River
Basin, within the Ethiopian Rift Valley, found about 70km2
south east of Addis Ababa,
between longitudes 380 56' E – 390 17'E and 80 34' N – 90 05' N latitude. The Mojo River
Basin is in a state of progressive population growth and industrialization as well as
agricultural activities, which are all potential sources of surface and groundwater
pollution in the Basin.
The main objectives of the present research are identifying the major pollutant in the
Mojo River, study the groundwater quality in the basin and identify its pollution
condition of groundwater using hydrogeochemistry. The final use of such a study is to
indicate the possible measures to be applied to prevent or reduce local sources of
pollution of Mojo River in turn regional groundwater pollution.
Collection of water samples from surface (stream) and groundwater (borehole, dug well
and spring) was done in two field operations at two different time periods. Physical and
chemical tests have been carried out in the field and in the laboratory. In the field
physical parameters such as pH, temperature and conductivity were measured in situ.
The main rock types in the Mojo River Basin range in age from Upper Miocene to
Holocene and consist of consolidated volcanic(plateau and Rift Volcanic) and loose
Lacustrine and alluvial deposit.
Overall, the water in the study area is a calcium-Sodium -Magnesium-Bicarbonate type
which is characterized by a high concentration of Ca++, Na, Mg++ and HCO3
-. Mojo River
is used for variety of purposes by inhabitants along their course. However, the discharge
of domestic and industrial wastes from the town highly limits the applicability of surface
water and also the quality of the groundwater in the area is deteriorated by infiltration of
polluted water.
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Mojo River Catchment