Assessment of potentially toxic elements in Swiss chard and sediments of Akaki River, Ethiopia

Kebede Nigussie Mekonnen, Abayneh Ataro Ambushe, Bhagwan Singh Chandravanshi, Mesfin Redi-Abshiro

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

26 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

For the determination of 15 potentially toxic elements (V, Cr, Fe, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Ag, Cd, Sn, Hg, and Pb) in plant and sediment samples of the Akaki River, Ethiopia, inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometry, and a RA-915+ mercury analyzer were applied. Sediment and plant samples were mineralized using a closed-vessel microwave-assisted digestion system. The elemental concentrations varied considerably in plant and sediment samples. The minimum concentration was observed for known toxic elements (As, Hg, and Cd) while the highest concentration was observed for the elements of relatively low toxicity Zn, Mn, and Fe. The concentration of Cr, Fe, Pb, Zn, and As in Swiss chard surpassed the maximum permissible levels at specific sites. At some of the sites, the sediment quality guidelines are surpassed for Cu, Zn, and Pb.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1501-1515
Number of pages15
JournalToxicological and Environmental Chemistry
Volume96
Issue number10
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 26 Nov 2014
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • elemental mercury analyzer
  • inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry
  • inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometry
  • plant
  • pollution

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Environmental Chemistry
  • Pollution
  • Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Assessment of potentially toxic elements in Swiss chard and sediments of Akaki River, Ethiopia'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this