Investigation Of The Ionic Composition Of Addis Ababa Drinking And Surface Waters

In Addis Ababa there are streams draining north-to-south such as the Tinishu Akaki,rnKebena, Kechene, Kurtum and Yeka which receive the uncontrolled domestic sewage andrnindustrial waste water discharges. In addition, intensive human activities are very common onrnthese streams. To assess and characterize the quality of the Addis Ababa's water courses (surfacernand ground waters) the following parameters are monitored; namely, pH, alkalinity, COD,rnammonia (for ground waters), nitrite, nitrate, phosphate, SUlphate, chloride, silica, and fluoridernfor surface and ground waters. The major cations of surface waters and some ground waters arernalso monitored. The trace elements of surface waters are also detected using standard methodsrn(Li, Be, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Rb, Sr, Se, Mo, Cd, Sn, Sb, Cs, Ba, Pb, Bi, Th and U).rnThe results of this study showed that the surface waters of Addis Ababa are highlyrncontaminated by the nitrate, nitrite, phosphate, organic matter, sulphate and chloride due to therndirect and indirect human activities. Springs found in the city are also highly contaminated byrnnitrates. Most of the ground waters (bore holes) of Addis Ababa are safe for drinking but thosernfound at the southern extreme parts are contaminated.

Get Full Work

Report copyright infringement or plagiarism