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Trace metal analysis is an important issue during water quality monitoring of both surface and ground water sources. To the best of our knowledge, there is no updated report on the level of metals (Cu, Pd, Cd, Mn, and Zn) in Tsaeda Agam River water. The aim of this study was thus to assess the level of these metals in water samples collected from four different purposely selected sampling sites of Tsaeda Agam River using FAAS technique following standard procedures. The analysed metals were found in the concentration ranges of (in mg/L): Cu, 0.0183-0.0260; Pb, 0.0177-0.0190; Cd, 0.0333-0.0467 and Mn, 0.5400-1.5533. Zn was found below the detection limit in all of the sampling sites. While Pb, Cd, and Mn were above the WHO maximum permissible level for drinking water at all studied sampling sites, Cu was above the permissible level only at site-3. Moreover, Cd and Mn were found to be above FAO permissible level for irrigation water at all sites while Cu only at site-3. Except for Mn, One way ANOVA analysis showed that there is no significant difference (P < 0.05) between the mean results for all the studied elements among the sampling sites. Site-1 is the highest polluted site among the other studied sites. Thus, the study indicated that the river water is unsafe for both drinking and irrigation purposes unless is periodically treated. |
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