Analysis of Copper, Zinc and Lead using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer in ground water of Jimma town of Southwestern Ethiopia

Abstract

Aims: This study was design to determine the level of heavy metal contamination of ground water in Jimma town of Southwestern Ethiopia. Methods: The sample had been collected from (6) different sites about (10) well and borehole water. Samples were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). Three heavy metals had been studied were Copper, Zinc and Lead. Their concentration and maximum contaminant levels (MCL) were compared with World Health Organization (WHO) data. The maximum contaminant levels according to WHO, for Copper, Zinc and Lead are 0.5, 3.0 and 0.01 mg/L respectively. Conclusion: From the results obtained, none of the samples analyzed for Copper (0.025 mg/L) and Zinc (0.15 mg/L) concentration was found above the MCL but for Lead (0.02202 mg/L) concentration found above the MCL. However, the metals were present in 82.86% and 91.23% of the samples analyzed respectively. Almost 86.01% of the sample had detectable level of Lead. All the Lead concentration was above the MCL. In general, 86.70% of all samples analyzed contained one or more of three heavy metals. The results obtained from this study suggest significant risk to this population given for toxicity of these metals, well and borehole water are the only source of their water supply in this environment. Copyright ª 2013, JPR Solutions; Published by Reed Elsevier India Pvt. Ltd. All rights reserved