scholarly journals Little Akaki River sediment enrichment with heavy metals, pollution load and potential ecological risks in downstream, Central Ethiopia

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Deshu Mamo Mekuria ◽  
Alemnew Berhanu Kassegne ◽  
Seyoum Leta Asfaw

Abstract Addis Ababa City’s river ecosystem is under extreme pressure as a result of inappropriate practices of dumping domestic and industrial wastes; thus, threatening its ability to maintain basic ecological, social and economic functions. Little Akaki River which drains through Addis Ababa City receives inorganic and organic pollutants from various anthropogenic sources. Most of inorganic pollutants such as toxic heavy metals released into the river are eventually adsorbed and settle in the sediment. The objective of this study was to evaluate the enrichment levels, pollution load and ecological risks of selected heavy metals (Zn, Cr, Cd and Pb) using various indices. The mean concentrations of heavy metals in Little Akaki River sediment were: Zn (78.96 ± 0.021–235.2 ± 0.001 mg/kg); Cr (2.19 ± 0.014–440.8 ± 0.003 mg/kg); Cd (2.09 ± 0.001–4.16 ± 0.0001 mg/kg) and Pb (30.92 ± 0.018–596.4 ± 0.066 mg/kg). Enrichment factor values indicated that sediments were moderate to significantly enriched with Zn and Cr; moderate to very highly enriched with Pb, and very highly enriched in all sampled sites with Cd. Geo-accumulation index and contamination factor values indicated that the sediments were moderate to very highly contaminated with toxic Cd and Pb. The decreasing order of pollution load index (PLI) in downstream was: (S9) > (S4) > (S8) > (S3) > (S6) > (S10) > (S5) > (S2) > (S7) > (S1). PLI and hierarchical cluster analysis revealed that the highest pollution load occurred in the lower course of the river (S9) which may be due to metals inputs from anthropogenic sources. The ecological risk (RI = 350.62) suggested that the contaminated Little Akaki River sediment can pose considerable ecological risks of pollution. The concentrations of Zn, Cr, Cd and Pb in Little Akaki River sediment surpassed eco-toxicological guideline limits of USEPA (threshold effect concentration) and CCME (Interim Sediment Quality Guidelines). Thus, the contaminated sediments can pose adverse biological effects on sediment dwelling organisms.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deshu Mamo Mekuria ◽  
Alemnew Berhanu Berhanu Kassegne ◽  
Seyoum Leta Leta Asfaw

Abstract Background: Addis Ababa City’s river ecosystem is under extreme pressure as a result of inappropriate practices of dumping domestic and industrial wastes; thus, threatening its ability to maintain basic ecological, social and economic functions. Little Akaki River which drains through Addis Ababa City receives inorganic and organic pollutants from various anthropogenic sources. Most of inorganic pollutants such as toxic heavy metals released into the river are eventually adsorbed and settle in the sediment. The objective of this study was to evaluate the enrichment levels, pollution load and ecological risks of selected heavy metals (Zn, Cr, Cd and Pb) using various indices.Results: The mean concentrations of heavy metals in Little Akaki River sediment were: Zn (78.96 ± 0.021 - 235.2 ± 0.001mg/kg); Cr (2.19 ± 0.014 - 440.8 ± 0.003 mg/kg); Cd (2.09 ± 0.001-4.16 ± 0.0001mg/kg) and Pb (30.92 ± 0.018 -596.4 ± 0.066 mg/kg). Enrichment factor values indicated that sediments were moderate to significantly enriched with Zn and Cr; moderate to very highly enriched with Pb, and very highly enriched in all sampled sites with Cd. Geo-accumulation index and contamination factor values indicated that the sediments were moderate to very highly contaminated with toxic Cd and Pb. The decreasing order of pollution load index (PLI) in downstream was: (S9) > (S4) > (S8) > (S3)> (S6) > (S10) > (S5) > (S2)> (S7) > (S1). PLI and hierarchical cluster analysis revealed that the highest pollution load occurred in the lower course of the river (S9) which may be due to metals inputs from anthropogenic sources. The ecological risk (RI =350.62) suggested that the contaminated Little Akaki River sediment can pose considerable ecological risks of pollution.Conclusions: The concentrations of Zn, Cr, Cd and Pb in Little Akaki River sediment surpassed eco-toxicological guideline limits of USEPA (threshold effect concentration) and CCME (Interim Sediment Quality Guidelines). Thus, the contaminated sediments can pose adverse biological effects on sediment dwelling organisms.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deshu Mamo Mekuria ◽  
Alemnew Berhanu Berhanu Kassegne ◽  
Seyoum Leta Leta Asfaw

Abstract Background: The Addis Ababa City’s river ecosystem is under extreme pressure as a result of inappropriate practices of dumping domestic and industrial wastes; thus, threatening its ability to maintain basic ecological, social and economic functions. Little Akaki River which drains through Addis Ababa City receives inorganic and organic pollutants from various anthropogenic sources. Most of inorganic pollutants such as toxic heavy metals relased into the river are eventually adsorbed and settled in the sediment. The objective of this study was to evaluate the enrichment levels, pollution load and ecological risks of selected heavy metals ( Zn, Cr, Cd and Pb) using various indices .Results: The mean concentrations of heavy metals in Little Akaki River sediment were: Zn (78.96±0.021 - 235.2 ±0.001mg / kg); Cr (2.19±0.014 - 440.8±0.003 mg / kg); Cd (2.09±0.001-4.16 ±0.0001mg / kg) and Pb (30.92±0.018 -596.4±0.066 mg / kg). Enrichment factor values indicated that sediments were moderate to significant enrichment with Zn and Cr; moderate to very high enrichment with Pb, and very high enrichment in all sampled sites with Cd. Geo-accumulation index and contamination factor values indicated that the sediments were moderate to very high contamination with toxic Cd and Pb. The decreasing order of pollution load index (PLI) in downstream was: (S9) > (S4) > (S8) > (S3)> (S6) > (S10) > (S5) > (S2)> (S7) > (S1). PLI and hierarchal cluster analysis revealed that highest pollution load occurred in the lower course of the river (S9) which may be due to metals inputs from anthropogenic sources; hence, its quality was deteriorated showing that the site is polluted. The ecological risk (RI =350.62) suggested that the contaminated Little Akaki River (LAR) sediment can pose considerable ecological risks of pollution.Conclusions: The concentrations of Zn, Cr, Cd and Pb in Little Akaki River sediment surpassed eco-toxicological guideline limits of USEPA (threshold effect concentration) and CCME (Interim Sediment Quality Guidelines). Thus, the contaminated sediments can occasionally pose adverse biological effects on sediment dwelling organisms. Thus, measures must be taken to regulate discharge of untreated wastes into river and surrounding environment.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deshu Mamo Mekuria ◽  
Alemnew Berhanu Berhanu Kassegne ◽  
Seyoum Leta Leta Asfaw

Abstract Background: Little Akaki River (LAR) passes through Addis Ababa City, receives inorganic and organic pollutants from various sources. The objective of this study was to investigate the pollution level of LAR by selected heavy metals and evaluate sediment quality using contamination indices.Methods: sediment samples were collected from 10 stations along LAR, processed, digested and heavy metal content was analyzed using ICP-OES. Enrichment factor (EF), geo-accumulation index (Igeo), contamination factor (CF), pollution load index (PLI), ecological risk index (RI) were determined. Comparison was made with standard sediment qualities (SQGs) to evaluate ecological and toxicological implication.Results: the mean concentrations of heavy metals in LAR sediment were: Zn (78.96-235.2 mg / kg); Cr (2.19-440.8 mg / kg); Cd (2.09-4.16 mg / kg) and Pb (30.92-596.4 mg / kg). EF values indicated that LAR sediments were moderate to significant enrichment with Zn and Cr; moderate to very high enrichment with Pb, and very high enrichment in all sampled sites with Cd. Igeo and CF values indicated that the sediments were moderate to very high contamination with toxic Cd and Pb.PLI and hierarchal cluster analysis revealed that highest pollution load occurred at sampling site (S9), in lower course of the river mainly due to anthropogenic metals inputs from industrial wastes, municipal wastewater treatment plant and agrochemical wastes; hence, its quality was deteriorated and depicted polluted site. The decreasing order of PLI in downstream was: (S9) > (S4) > (S8) > (S3)> (S6) > (S10) > (S5) > (S2)> (S7) > (S1). Pearson correlation indicated that Zn and Cd were generated from common sources of pollution. The ecological risk (RI =350.62) suggested that the contaminated LAR sediment can pose considerable ecological risks of pollution.Conclusions: The concentrations of Zn, Cr, Cd and Pb in LAR sediment were surpassed sediment quality guidelines (USEPA) and eco-toxicological guideline limit values of USEPA (TEC) and CMME (ISQGs). Thus, the contaminated sediments can occasionally pose adverse biological effects on sediment dwelling organisms and impairs the quality of river water. Thus, monitoring and addressing sediment contamination becomes necessary to sustain beneficial uses of river water for various development purposes.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (8) ◽  
pp. 696-704
Author(s):  
Hassan Malvandi

Background: Sediments in the aquatic ecosystems can be used as suitable indicators for monitoring contaminants. Then, objectives of this study were to evaluate the concentration of heavy metals in the surface sediments of the Mohammad Abad River, to determine the degree of pollution of heavy metals in sediments using some major contamination indices; to identify the major sources (anthropogenic or natural sources) of the studied metals; and to evaluate the “reference river” of the river under study for ecotoxicology studies. Methods: Samples of sediment were taken from six sites of the river. The present study, eleven heavy metals (chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, zinc, selenium, magnesium, silver, aluminum and arsenic) were studied. Results: Comparison of metal concentrations with those of Sediment Quality Guidelines (SQGs) showed no association with harmful biological effects for the heavy metals studied except for Se and As. The results of the contamination factor index showed low pollution levels for most metals (Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn and Al), moderate pollution levels for As, and very high pollution levels for Se. The degree of contamination (Cd) and modified degree of contamination (mCd), showing the total contamination of elements, demonstrated very high degree contamination status in the study area. According to the index of quantification of contamination, the values of Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Zn and Al were derived mainly from geogenic sources of enrichment, while the values for Se and As were enriched by anthropogenic source of enrichment. Conclusion: These findings suggest that continuous monitoring of Se and As in sediment and organisms of the Mohammad Abad River should be directed to evaluate the threat of these elements to the public health and to the ecology of the river under study.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Y. Lim ◽  
N. A. Zakaria ◽  
K. Y. Foo

Abstract The present work is aimed at assessing the aftermath effects of the 2014 flood tragedy on the distribution, pollution status and ecological risks of the heavy metals deposited in the surface river sediment. A series of environmental pollution indexes, specifically the enrichment factor (EF), geo-accumulation index (Igeo), contamination factor (CF), modified degree of contamination (mCd), pollution load index (PLI), potential ecological risk index (PERI) and sediment quality guidelines (SQGs) have been adopted. Results revealed that the freshly deposited sediments collected soon after the flood event were dominated by Cu, Fe, Pb, Ni, Zn, Cr and Cd, with the average concentrations of 38.74, 16,892, 17.71, 4.65, 29.22, 42.36 and 0.29 mg/kg, respectively. According to the heavy metal pollution indexes, Pahang River sediments were moderately to severely contaminated with Pb, Ni, Cu, Zn and Cr, while Cd with the highest risk of 91.09 was the predominant element that illustrated an aesthetic ecological risk to the water body after the tragic flood event. The findings highlighted a critical deterioration of the heavy metals content, driven by the catastrophic flood event, which has drastically altered their geochemical cycles, sedimentary pollution status and biochemical balance of the river's environment.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-19
Author(s):  
Abdullah Al Mamun ◽  
Protima Sarker ◽  
Md. Shiblur Rahaman ◽  
Mohammad Mahbub Kabir ◽  
Masahiro Maruo

The Dhaleswari river is considered as one of the most important rivers of Bangladesh due to its geographical location and ecological services. The present study attempts to evaluate the degree of heavy metal pollution, contamination, and accumulative behavior in  the sediment of the Dhaleswari river. The sediment samples were collected from fifteen different locations of the Dhaleswari river. Heavy metals were analyzed using the Flame Atomic Spectrophotometer (FAAS). The mean concentrations of Zn, Cu, Cr, Pb and Cd were 131.9, 48.89, 43.16, 33.23 and 0.37 mgkg-1, respectively. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Sediment Quality Guideline, the sediment of most of the locations were not polluted for Pb and Cd. But S-11 location for Cd (0.8 mg kg-1) was highly polluted. For Cr, Cu and Zn, maximum locations were moderately polluted. Although the geo-accumulation index (Igeo) values of Dhaleswari river sediments showed almost no severe contamination for most of the sampling locations, the pollution load index (PLI) values showed that most of the sampling sites were contaminated for all heavy metals tested. Moreover, for all measured heavy metals, the mean Contamination Factor (CF) values indicated moderate pollution, except for Cr, which suggested low pollution. The Pearson’s correlation coefficient matrix among the selected heavy metals of Dhaleswari river sediment showed no significant correlation among each other. Therefore, regular monitoring of the heavy metal concentration of the Dhaleshwari river sediment from different location is necessary to identify the sources of pollution so that proper initiative could be taken to prevent heavy metal pollution.


DEPIK ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 403-410
Author(s):  
Edward Edward

Contamination and pollution of heavy metals in the bottom sediment can pose serious issues to marine organisms and human health. Jakarta Bay which is located adjacent to the capital city of Indonesia is notorious for its pollution problems. The purpose of this research was to assest the contamination levels of heavy metals Hg, Pb, and Cd in sea-bottom sediments based on an index analysis approach (contamination factors, geo accumulation index, pollution load index). Sediment samples were collected from 31 stations in Jakarta Bay. Heavy metal concentration was measured using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The results showed that an average mercury (Hg) concentration ranged from 0.150 to 0.530 µg.g-1 with an total average of 0.362 µg.g-1, Lead (Pb) from 14.870 to 35.650 µg.g-1 with an total average of 21.774 µg.g-1, Cadmium (Cd) 0.110-0.280 µg.g-1 with an total average of 0.190 µg.g-1.The average concentration of Hg, Pb, and Cd is still lower than the sediment quality threshold values set by the Office of the State Minister of Environment of Indonesia  2010. The results of the index analysis showed that the average value of contamination factor (CF) are Hg 0.685, Pb 0.558, and Cd 0.380 respectively (low contamination) and geo accumulation index values are Hg 0.237, Pb -1.655, and Cd 0.069 respectively (unpolluted to moderate polluted). Overall, based on the pollution load index value is -0,511 (PLI 1), sediments in these waters are categorized as not yet polluted by Hg, Pb and Cd. This situation  is so necessary to be maintained, that in order for the preservation of marine resources will remain.Keywords: Jakarta Bay, sediment, pollution, heavy metals, assessmentABSTRAKKontaminasi dan pencemaran logam berat pada sedimen dasar dapat menimbulkan masalah yang serius bagi biota laut dan kesehatan manusia. Teluk Jakarta yang terletak berdekatan dengan ibu kota Indonesia terkenal karena masalah pencemarannya yang parah. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk menilai tingkat kontaminasi logam berat Hg, Pb dan Cd dalam sedimen dasar laut berdasarkan pendekatan analisis indeks. Contoh sedimen diambil dari 31 stasiun penelitian di Teluk Jakarta. Kadar logam berat diukur dengan alat Spektrofometer Penyerapan Atom. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan kadar Hg rerata berkisar 0,150-0,530 µg. g-1 dengan rerata total 0,362 µg. g-1, Timbal (Pb) 14,870-35,650 µg. g-1 dengan rerata total 21,774 µg. g-1, Kadmium (Cd) 0,110-0,280 µg. g-1 dengan rerata total 0,190 µg.g-1. Kadar rerata Hg, Pb dan Cd masih lebih rendah dari nilai ambang batas kualitas sedimen yang ditetapkan oleh Kantor Menteri Negara Lingkungan Hidup Indonesia 2010. Hasil analisis indeks menunjukkan nilai rerata faktor kontaminasi (CF) berturut-turut adalah Hg 0,685, Pb 0,352 dan Cd 0,380 (kontaminasi rendah) dan nilai indeks geo akumulasi berturut-turut adalah Hg 0,227, Pb 1,098 dan Cd 0,633 (tidak tercemar sampai tercemar sedang). Secara keseluruhan, berdasarkan nilai indeks beban pencemaran yakni -3.772 (PLI 1), sedimen di perairan ini termasuk kategori belum tercemar oleh Hg, Pb dan Cd. Keadaan ini perlu dipertahankan, agar kelestarian sumberdaya laut tetap terjaga.Kata kunci: Teluk Jakarta, sedimen, pencemaran, logam berat, penilaian


Author(s):  
Ling Yi ◽  
Bai Gao ◽  
Haiyan Liu ◽  
Yanhong Zhang ◽  
Chaochao Du ◽  
...  

Concentrations of potentially toxic metals including Cd, Cu, Pb, Cr, U, Th in surface water and sediment samples collected from a river were analyzed to assess the contaminations, distribution characteristics, and sources of these metals. The contents of the metals were lower than the standard levels set by World Health Organization (WHO) for drinking water. However, U and Th contents were far beyond the background values of surface water. The concentrations of Cd, Cr, and U in sediments were higher than the background values and the Probable Effect Level (PEL) of sediment quality guidelines (SQGs) which may result in high potential harmful biological effects to aquatic ecosystems. Based on the contamination factor (CF), geo-accumulation index (Igeo), and potential ecological risk index (RI), Cd, Cr, and U were considered to be the metals that mainly contribute to the contamination of sediments. The calculation results also indicated that the sites adjacent to the uranium ore field were highly polluted. Results of cluster analysis, principal component analysis, and correlation analysis revealed that Cr, Pb, U, and Th were highly correlated with each other. These metals mainly originated from both anthropogenic sources and natural processes, especially emissions from uranium mining and quarrying, whereas Cd mostly came from anthropogenic sources (agricultural activities) of the upper reaches of the river.


2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 174-194 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irina Catianis ◽  
Constantin Ungureanu ◽  
Luca Magagnini ◽  
Elisa Ulazzi ◽  
Tiziana Campisi ◽  
...  

AbstractThe aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of potential pollution sources, mainly from the upstream anthropogenic sources and port-related activities. The in-vestigated area covered a wide range of anthropogenic im-pacts (e.g., industrial wastes, storm water runoff, acciden-tal oil spills, intentional discharges and shipping activities). The quality of water and Sediments was assessed us-ing Standard methods, as physical-chemical parameters, chemistry and biology (microbiology, ecotoxicology) aim-ing to figure the level of pollution and the effect of port-related activities. Seawater quality results agreed generally with environmental Standards. Though, in some samples the concentrations of sulphates (mg/1) and heavy metals (μg/1), as B, As and Se exceeded the recommended lim-its, without posing a serious environmental concern. Most of the surface sediment samples contain critical levels of hydrocarbons (C>12), (mg/kg), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (ng/g) and polychlorobiphenyls (ng/g). For some heavy metals (mg/kg), exchangeable concentrations were found to be very close or above the regulations. The signifi-cance of this study is incontestable taking into account the lack of previous relevant historical data of this area. In this sense, it was possible to indicate, in general, good environmental conditions, despite the industrial and concentrated local port-related activities in the investigated area.


2013 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fasmi Ahmad

<p>Bangka Island is rich in natural resources particularly tin minerals. The increasing of tin mining has elevated various wastes such as tailings, oil, and fuel coming from the sand scraper tin boat. These wastes containing toxic heavy metals may harmful to marine organism. Measurement of Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn, and Ni were carried out in September 2010. The purpose of this research was to predict the pollution degree of Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn, and Ni in sediment using two different methods namely geoaccumulation index (I_geo) and pollution load index (PLI). The samples of sediments were collected at 20 stations using Gravity Core. The content of heavy metals in all samples was determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer with a mixture of air and acetylene flame. The results showed that there was a different of prediction on sediment pollution level between Load Pollution Index with Geoaccumulation Index. According to Load Pollution Index, sediments in this waters were not polluted by Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn, and Ni (PLI&lt;1). Based on Geoaccumulation Index, sediment were also not polluted by Pb, Cu, Zn, and Ni (Igeo&lt;0). While for Cd, sediments divided into three categories, namely not polluted (Igeo&lt;0), light polluted (0&lt;Igeo&lt;1), and medium pollued (1&lt;Igeo&lt;2).  The concentration of the heavy metals still lower than that sediment quality guideline values.</p> <p>Keywords: Bangka Island, heavy metals, geoaccumulation index, pollution load index.</p>


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