Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the concentration and toxicological implications of heavy metals (Cr, Cd Zn, Fe, Pb and Cu) in effluents coming out Eastern Industrial Zone (EIZ). Wastewater samples were collected from three points (0, 200 and 500 m) from discharge point was collected with three replications. The wet digestion procedure was employed to solubilize the metals from the collected samples. The validation of this procedure was performed by spiking the samples with a standard solution of each metal having a known concentration and percentage recovery values in the range of 92.0-102% were obtained. The results obtained from this study showed overall concentrations of heavy metals (Cr, Cd, Zn, Fe, Pb, and Cu) in the range of (0.20-1.04), (0.04-0.08), (0.07-0.21), (2.89-5.15), (3.11-45) and Cu (0.30-0.99) in mg/L, respectively. The concentrations of heavy metals (Cr, Cd, Zn, Fe, Pb and Cu) in the wastewater were above the recommended limit of both WHO and FAO. Based on facts obtained from this study, we suggest concerned official body (ies) to take the necessary precaution measures for cleaning the polluted factory effluents.

Key words: Effluent, heavy metal, toxicological Implications, percentage recovery.