Determination of the Level of Heavy Metals and Physico-Chemical Parameters of Bamo River in Goba Administrative Town, Southeastern, Ethiopia

Abstract

The accumulation of heavy metals in water bodies can pose serious environmental problems to the surrounding areas as well as serious health problems in people that use it for drinking purposes and domestic activities. The main aim of this study is to determine the levels of selected heavy metals and physiochemical parameters in Bamo river water of Goba district of Oromia Region, Ethiopia. Three samples collected from Bamo River were analyzed using FAAS and Palin test photometer. Generally, the physicochemical parameters such as temperature, TDS, EC, and TH were measured on site. While pH, Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), total hardness, nitrate, sulfate, phosphate, K, Mg, Ca, Fe, Mn, K, and Cu were analyzed in the laboratory. All the samples were analyzed for seven heavy metals (Zn, Fe Cu, Pb Ni, Cr and Mn). The mean concentrations (in mg/L) of studied heavy metals were found to be in the range: Zn (0.330- 0.274), Cu (0.56-0.44), Pb (0.009-0.057), Ni (2,93- 3.58), Cr (0.179-0.294) and Mn (0.012-1.011). Comparison of the results for the studied heavy metals with international standard revealed that the concentrations of (Pb, Cr, and Ni) in water samples were slightly higher than the maximum permissible limits recommended by WHO, USEPA and EU. Therefore, the river water consumed by the rural and urban population of the district and their neighbors could potentially be exposed to the health risks of levels of these heavy metals. Therefore, the researcher recommends that the river of target area should be treated before using for drinking and domestic purpose.