Seasonal Variation of Heavy Metal Concentration in Water of Rupingazi River, Kenya

Abstract

Seasonal assessment of heavy metal concentration (Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn and Ni) in water of Rupingazi River was carried out during the wet season in May (2018) and dry times in January (2019). In this research water samples were collected from twenty sampling points along the river. The levels of the heavy metals in the water were measured with the Atomic Absorption spectrophotometer. Data that was obtained from the analysis of the water was analyzed using one-way analysis of variance. Mean heavy metal concentrations (mg/l) in water were Cu (0.01-0.31), Fe (0.00-1.82) and Zn (0.003-1.508) during the wet season and Cu (0.01-0.40), Fe (0.53-2.07) and Zn (0.02-1.81) during the dry season. The levels of zinc and copper were lower than the WHO limits for drinking water. Iron levels in most sampling stations either during the wet or dry season exceeded the limits. Analysis of the correlation coefficient showed a low, moderate or high correlation between the heavy metals in water during both seasons.

Key words: heavy metal, concentration, water, Rupingazi river, pollutants

DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/15-3-05

Publication date: November 30^th 2024