Determination of Selected Heavy Metals in Little Akaki Waste Water by Using Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (GFAAS)
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Date
2021-06-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
In this study, river water samples taken from three different locations along the course of the Little Akaki and Entoto River in Addis Ababa were analyzed to determine potentially toxic trace element concentrations. The mean concentrations of toxic heavy metals in Little Akaki and Entoto River in (μg/L); for Zn (124 ± 2.2, 108 ± 1.3), Cr (3.51 ± 0.05, 0.74 ± 0.13), Cu (10.3 ± 1.1, 10.1 ± 0.27) , Pb (15.7 ± 0.76, 3.42 ± 0.07), Co (13.3 ± 0.34, 3.32 ± 0.11) , Cd (5.41 ± 0.21 , 0.435 ± 0.049), As (5.58 ± 0.32 , 1.20 ± 0.043), and Hg (0.0564 ± 0.0123, BDL), respectively. A strong positive correlation was observed between several of the trace elements indicating common sources. The concentrations of Cd, Co and Pb in Little Akaki River exceeded the permissible limits of the Ethiopian, European Community and WHO for drinking water quality guidelines. The pollution of the river water is increasing alarmingly and poses serious threat to human health. Many of the concentrations were higher than previously reported. It is, thus, necessary to take serious and essential measures from the concerned bodies. Adoption of adequate measures to remove the heavy metal load from the industrial waste water and upgrading of sewage treatment plants are suggested to avoid further deterioration of the river water quality.
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Keywords
River Water, Potential Toxic Heavy Metals, Heavy Metal Contamination, Drinking Water Standards