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Author
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Norah Charity Maposa
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Title
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An Assessment of Heavy Metal (Cd, Pb, Zn, Fe) Concentrations in Water and Sediments from Mazowe River.
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Abstract
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The purpose of this study was to determine heavy metal (Pb, Fe, Cd and Zn) concentrations in Mazowe River’s water, sediments and their concentrations in the maize plants that were being irrigated using Mazowe River water. Water and sediment samples were collected from the chosen sampling sites and were taken to the laboratory for the analysis of heavy metals using Inductively Coupled Plasma- Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES) Plant samples were analysed using Atomic Adsorption Spectrometry machine (AAS. The mean concentrations of Lead in water from site 1, 2, 3 and 4 were 0.015mg/l, 0.01mg/l, 0.01mg/l and 0.0225mg/l, respectively. Zinc concentrations for site 1, 2,3 and 4 were 0.015mg/l, 0.0475mg/l, 0.035mg/l and 0.01mg/l, respectively. Iron concentrations were 6.2775mg/l, 12.89mg/l, 8.8075mg/l, 10.8925 mg/l, respectively. Cadmium concentrations were 0.0175mg/l at all the sites. The mean concentrations of Iron in sediments from site 1, 2, 3 and 4 were 1283.39mg/l, 1375.22mg/l, 1305.81mg/l and 1293.92mg/l respectively. In sediments Led concentrations from site 1, 2,3 and 4 were 401.25 mg/l, 581.07 mg/l, 519.29mg/l and 50643 mg/l respectively. In maize plants heavy metals (Pb, Zn, Fe and Cd) accumulated more in the roots as compared to other parts of the plant. Concentrations in plant parts were as follows roots>leaves>stem>fruit (cob). All the concentrations from samples taken were above FAO /WHO guidelines of heavy metals in water and food crops. Recommendations from this study include regular assessment of heavy metals at different stages of the plant. Also assessments should be carried out on different season (dry and wet) to determine seasonal variations of heavy metal concentrations in water and sediments. The major factor contributing to the differences in metal concentrations was discussed.
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Date
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June 2022
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Publisher
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BUSE
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Keywords
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Mazoe River
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Metal
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Supervisor
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N/A
Maposa - NRM.pdf