Determination of heavy metal concentration in water around Kacheera Wetlands in Lyantonde

Abstract

The impact of waste disposal on trace metal contamination was investigated in kacheera wetlands and Lake Kacheera Basin. Samples of water were analysed for total Zn, Cu, Pb and Mn concentrations using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The trace metal concentrations were the highest in Kacheera wetland having the highest mean concentrations of copper of 3.87±4.8 mg/L This study also investigates the impact of the agricultural runoff on the water quality of kacheera wetlands in Lyantonde. The results showed that the mean concentrations of the measured heavy metals did not conform to the maximum permissible limits of the WHO standards for drinking water quality. Results indicated that the total heavy metal content in the water was greater in the Kacheera swamps and least in the water of the lake. It is therefore recommended that working bioremediation projects need to be put in place to resolve the problems of heavy metal contamination and other potential pollutants in the environment in the area, and also that the lake water should be used or preferred to the water from the wetlands