Determination of Heavy Metal Concentration in Water and Food around River Nyamwamba

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of the disused Kilembe mine pyrites on the Water quality of river nyamwamba in western Uganda. Surface water samples were collected and were analyzed using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer for 5 heavy metals: manganese, lead, copper, cobalt, and zinc. 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. Lead, manganese and cobalt had mean concentrations well above the maximum permissible limits: 0.016 mg mL-1 for lead, 0.024 mg mL-1 for nickel and0.61 mg mL-1 for cadmium. Results indicated that the total heavy metal content in the water was greater in the Kilembe mine valley followed by the area before the mine (near river sources) and Least in the water after the Kilembe mine valley. 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