Assessment of Physico-chemical Parameters and D e t e r m i n a t i o n o f S o m e Selected Heavy Metals in Ground Water the Case of Fitche Town, North Shoa Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine some selected heavy metals concentration levels and physicochemical water quality parameters of the ground water collected from Fitche Town, North Shewa, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. Three ground water samples were collected from three sites of the study area. The analysis of physicochemical parameters such as Temperature, EC; pH; and DO were ranged from 17.10 ± 0.267 to 17.83 ± 0.157°C; 410 to 423.33 ±1.53 μS/cm; 7.15 ± 0.15 to 7.29± 0.01 and 4.7± 0.1to 6.1 ± 0.10 mg/L respectively., ammonium and phosphate levels ranged from 1.05 mg/L ± 0.011 to 1.33 mg/L ± 0.05 and 4.34 to 4,75 mg/L respectively. The results obtained for the heavy metals mean concentration (mg/L) in the ground water for each heavy metal was in the range of Mn (ND), Cr(ND 0.0870mg/L),Fe(0.45±0.017-1.95±0.031),Zn(ND),Cu(0.012±0.001-1.906±0.012),Pb(0.40±0.036-0.54±0.012) and Cd(ND) were detected using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. The limit of detection value lied in the range of 0.001mg/L and 0.60 mg/L. The limit of quantification (LOQ) value lied in between 0.003 mg/L and 2.0mg /L The RSD values ranged between 7.22 and 14.93 obtained were all under the required limit. The mean percentage recovery ranged between 80.08% and 116.32% .There was significant difference between ground water samples for pH, Temperature, electrical conductivity, , dissolved oxygen, and ammonium ion to each other. Thus the Fitche Town ground water has a comparable quality with other literature and standards such as (WHO,2018) and (USEPA,2012) recommended for drinking purposes. Generally, the results indicated a good method validation and safe water quality in Fiche Town. All the physicochemical parameters and the levels of heavy metals are below the permissible limits of international standards, but Pb. Hence, Fiche Town has safe water for drinking and other purposes. Lead needs a special concern intervention