Little Akaki River Sediment Enrichment with Heavy Metals, Pollution Load and Potential Ecological Risks in Downstream, Central Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: The Addis Ababa City’s river ecosystem is under extreme pressure as a result of inappropriate practices of dumping domestic and industrial wastes; thus, threatening its ability to maintain basic ecological, social and economic functions. Little Akaki River which drains through Addis Ababa City receives inorganic and organic pollutants from various anthropogenic sources. Most of inorganic pollutants such as toxic heavy metals relased into the river are eventually adsorbed and settled in the sediment. The objective of this study was to evaluate the enrichment levels, pollution load and ecological risks of selected heavy metals ( Zn, Cr, Cd and Pb) using various indices .Results: The mean concentrations of heavy metals in Little Akaki River sediment were: Zn (78.96±0.021 - 235.2 ±0.001mg / kg); Cr (2.19±0.014 - 440.8±0.003 mg / kg); Cd (2.09±0.001-4.16 ±0.0001mg / kg) and Pb (30.92±0.018 -596.4±0.066 mg / kg). Enrichment factor values indicated that sediments were moderate to significant enrichment with Zn and Cr; moderate to very high enrichment with Pb, and very high enrichment in all sampled sites with Cd. Geo-accumulation index and contamination factor values indicated that the sediments were moderate to very high contamination with toxic Cd and Pb. The decreasing order of pollution load index (PLI) in downstream was: (S9) > (S4) > (S8) > (S3)> (S6) > (S10) > (S5) > (S2)> (S7) > (S1). PLI and hierarchal cluster analysis revealed that highest pollution load occurred in the lower course of the river (S9) which may be due to metals inputs from anthropogenic sources; hence, its quality was deteriorated showing that the site is polluted. The ecological risk (RI =350.62) suggested that the contaminated Little Akaki River (LAR) sediment can pose considerable ecological risks of pollution.Conclusions: The concentrations of Zn, Cr, Cd and Pb in Little Akaki River sediment surpassed eco-toxicological guideline limits of USEPA (threshold effect concentration) and CCME (Interim Sediment Quality Guidelines). Thus, the contaminated sediments can occasionally pose adverse biological effects on sediment dwelling organisms. Thus, measures must be taken to regulate discharge of untreated wastes into river and surrounding environment.