Levels of trace metals in water and sediment from Tyume River and its effects on an irrigated farmland

Abstract

Levels of trace metals (Cd, Pb, Co, Zn Cu and Ni) were determined in water and sediment from the Tyume River. Occurrence of these metals in vegetables and soil from a nearby farmland as a result of irrigation with the river water was also investigated. Higher levels of Cd (0.038 ± 0.004 to 0.044 ± 0.003 mg/l) and Pb (0.021 ± 0.004 to 0.035 ± 0.001 mg/l) were found in the river water, which may be detrimental to the "health" of the aquatic ecosystem and the rural communities that utilise the river water for domestic purposes without any treatment. Some of these metals were also detected in the soil and vegetables cultivated on the farmland which indicates a possible contribution from the river water.

Assessment of Metals Concentration in Water, Sediment and Macrophyte Plant Collected from Lake Hawassa, Ethiopia

“…The analysis of metals in sediment is used for detection of pollutants that may be either absent or in low concentrations in the water column [25,26]. The concentration of metals from the overlying water to the sediment is dependent on a number of external environmental factors such as pH, EC, the ionic strength of the compound, anthropogenic input, the type and concentration of organic and inorganic ligands and the available surface area for adsorption caused by variation in grain size distribution [27].…”

Spatial, Temporal and Depth Profiles of Trace Metals in an Urban Wetland System: A Case Study with Respect to the Deepor Beel, Ramsar Site 1207, India

“…It has also been implicated in endocrine disrupting activities, which could pose serious health problems. Sources of Cd include wastes from Cd-based batteries, incinerators and runoff from agricultural soils where phosphate fertilizers are used since Cd is a common impurity in phosphate fertilizers (Awofolu et al, 2005). The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) has set a limit of only 0.005 mg/L of Cd (II) for drinking water whereas the WHO guideline value is 0.01 mg/L.…”

“…Cadmium is recognized as one of the most toxic elements with possible human carcinogenic effects (Goering et al, 1994;Awofolu et al, 2005). It accumulates in the kidney and liver leading to chronic kidney dysfunction.…”

“…Quite a number of human ailments such as chronic neurological disorders, especially in fetuses and children, are attributed to Pb. It enters the environment from automobile exhaust (vehicles using leaded fuels till a few years back), used dry-cell batteries, sewage effluent, runoff of wastes and atmospheric deposition (Awofolu et al, 2005). USEPA has fixed a limit of 0.015 mg/L for Pb in drinking water is.…”

Influence of discharged effluent on the quality of surface water utilized for agricultural purposes

“…For instance, if the water is contaminated, it might possibly contaminate the produce cultivated on such land. An earlier study has revealed the influence of surface water on the metallic load of agricultural soil and its produce (Awofolu et al, 2005).…”