ICP-OES ANALYSIS OF SELECTED HEAVY AND TRACE ELEMENTS IN DRINKING TAP AND SPRING WATER IN DURAME TOWN AND THE SURROUNDING AREAS

Abstract

This thesis presents an analysis of the concentrations of heavy metals and trace elements in drinking water from tap and spring sources in Durame city, Southern Ethiopia, using Inductive Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Water contamination by metals such as lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and iron (Fe) poses significant health risks, making it crucial to monitor these elements. Water samples from four sites were analyzed for physical parameters such as pH and electrical conductivity (EC), alongside concentrations of metals like arsenic (As), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), and manganese (Mn). The results were compared with the World Health Organization (WHO) drinking water standards to assess potential health risks. The study found that while most metals, including Cu, Zn, and Cr, remained within permissible limits, levels of Cd, Pb, and Fe in some samples exceeded WHO guidelines. The high levels of these metals indicate potential contamination from industrial or agricultural activities in the area. Recommendations include implementing proper water treatment processes, strengthening local environmental regulations, and conducting regular water quality monitoring to ensure public health safety. This research provides important insights into the quality of drinking water in Durame and serves as a baseline for future studies on water safety and heavy metal contamination in the region.The results are validated in terms of precession, linearity and limit of detection.