Determination of Heavy Metals in Lake Tana at Hyacinth and far from Hyacinth using Inductive c Couple Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy

ABSTRACT This study was conducted to determine the concentration levels of heavy metals (Pb, Cr, Fe, Cu and Zn) in Lake Tana at Hyacinth water and far from Hyacinth water. The sample (water) was digested using magnetic stirrer hotplate digestion method. The levels of the elements were determined using Inductive couple plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). The mean concentration level of heavy elements at Hyacinth (Fe=1.003) mg/L, (Zn=0.083) mg/L, (Cr=0.012) mg/L, (Cu=0.002) mg/L and far from Hyacinth (Fe=0.107) mg/L, (Zn=.045) mg/L, (Cr=0.009), (Cu=0.003) mg/L which is below the permissive level set by FAO/WHO in both sites. The highest amount of Fe (1.003) was obtained in Hyacinth sample. The pattern of concentrations of heavy metals in Hyacinth water was in the order of (Fe > Zn > Cr > Cu >) and fare from Hyacinth (Fe > Zn > Cr, > Cu). The concentrations of Pb in in both samples were not detected. Furthermore, physiochemical properties of the sample such as pH, electrical conductivity and total dissolved solid were determined. The PH of water at hyacinth water 6.2 whereas the PH of the lake water from hyacinth were 6.8.