Assessment of Physico-chemical parameters and Some Selected Heavy Metals in Dal River water, Gachit District, West Omo Zone, Ethiopia

Abstract

Water is one of the most important natural resources required for the life of animals and plants. In this study, physico-chemical properties and some selected metal contents of Dal River,at Gachit District, West Omo Zone, Ethiopia was investigated. Water samples were collected from three sites, at proximity to Wangech, administrative town of Gachit District, along the River course based on their accessibility and conveniences. The physico-chemical parameters and metal contents were determined using portable multi-meter and the Palintest water quality testing apparatus. Accordingly, the average phyico-chemical properties obtained from the studied samples were: temperature (16.97±0.38°C), pH (6.47±0.15), DO (5.51±0.57mg/L), TA (50.57±2.23mg/L), TDS (108.17±2.48mg/L), EC (169.13±3.78µS/cm), NO3 - (3.4±0.26mg/L),Cl- (20.03±4.2mg/L) and TH (36.57±1.03mg/L). The level of selected heavy metals such as Cu, Fe, Cr, and Ni in the water samples were ranging from 0.01 ± 0.00 - 0.02 ± 0.00 mg/L, 0.14±0.01- 0.29 ±0.03 mg/L, 0.04± 0.00 - 0.46± 0.03 mg/L and 0.04 ±0.00 mg/L, respectively. Nitrite and phosphate ions, Zinc metal were not detected in all water samples. Except, nickel, the studied parameters were found to be below the permissible limits set in the national and WHO guidelines for river water. Finally, although the obtained results indicated the water satisfy the recommended river water guideline, regular monitoring of the quality of such the river water has paramount importance to safe the health of surrounding community and downstream users.