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Contamination and ecological risk assessment of toxic metals in Awetu watershed stream waters and sediments, Ethiopia

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Abstract

The study analyzed the contamination level and ecological risk assessment of toxic metals Awetu watershed streams. A total of 20 water and 20 sediment samples were collected and analyzed for the toxic metals of Arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), mercury (Hg), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), tin (Sn), and zinc (Zn). Sediment samples showed severe contamination levels based on ranges in sediment quality guidelines (SQGs). Water samples showed high grades of contamination factor and potential ecological risk factor by toxic metals. The synergistic effects of toxic metals in the sampling sites were evaluated by Nemerow pollution index, potential ecological risk index and modified degree of contamination and were found to have similar results. Dololo stream (D1, D2, D3, and D4) and Kito (K1, K2, and K3) were found at ‘toxic’ contamination and ‘severe’ ecological risk. Cd, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Sn contributed to the highest ecological risk. Toxic metal contamination in Dololo stream is attributed to institutions carrying out various anthropogenic activities along the stream bank, including traditional metal plating, garages, laboratory effluents, extensive agriculture, carwash, irresponsible waste disposal, and urban population growth. The result shows Awetu watershed streams are seriously contaminated by toxic metals. Therefore, future pollution control and management plans should accentuate the strict regulation of discharge of wastes from these anthropogenic activities.

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Availability of data and materials

The datasets generated and/or analyzed during this study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank Jimma University for financial and material support and those who participated in the study.

Funding

The research work was financially supported by the Jimma University.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Health Sciences and Technology, Institute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia

    Higemengist Astatkie & Argaw Ambelu

  2. Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Public Health, Hawassa University, Hawassa, Ethiopia

    Embialle Mengistie Beyene

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  1. Higemengist Astatkie
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Contributions

Higemengist Astatkie, Argaw Ambelu, and Embialle Mengistie participated on the research design and data analysis. Higemengist Astatkie carried out the data preparation and statistical analysis, interpreted the data, and prepared the manuscript. Argaw Ambelu and Embialle Mengistie offered major revision.

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Correspondence to Higemengist Astatkie.

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Astatkie, H., Beyene, E.M. & Ambelu, A. Contamination and ecological risk assessment of toxic metals in Awetu watershed stream waters and sediments, Ethiopia. Environ Monit Assess 194, 451 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-022-10096-7

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