Pollution status of Tinishu Akaki River and its tributaries (Ethiopia) evaluated using physico-chemical parameters, major ions, and nutrients

• Published in: Bulletin of the Chemical Society of Ethiopia 2007-04, Vol.21 (1), p.13-22
• Main Authors: Melaku, Samuel, Wondimu, Taddese, Dams, Richard, Moens, Luc
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Ethiopia; Tinishu Akaki River; Water pollution
• ISSN: 1011-3924; 1011-3924; 1726-801X
• DOI: 10.4314/bcse.v21i1.61364

The present investigation provides data on physico-chemical parameters, some major ions and nutrients on water samples of Tinishu Akaki River (TAR), Ethiopia. The pH, temperature, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids (TDS), dissolved oxygen (DO), chemical oxygen demand (COD), biological oxygen demand (BOD), Ca2+, Mg2+, HCO3-, SO42-, NO3-, NO2-, PO43-, Cl- and NH3 have been determined to asses the chemical status and pollution levels of the TAR and its tributaries. The values of certain parameters have been evaluated with respect to the acceptable standard limits for drinking and surface water to indicate the pollution level of the TAR. Increasing in BOD, nitrite, ammonia and phosphate and decreasing in DO concentrations downstream of the TAR were observed with increasing domestic, industrial and agricultural activities. The mean Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl-, SO42-, HCO3-, NO3- and PO43- concentrations exceeded their most common natural concentrations' (MCNC) in world rivers by a factor of 6.3, 7.6, 27.2, 6.8, 9.2, 19 and 390, respectively.