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Dessie BK, Mehari B, Gari SR, Mihret A, Desta AF, Melaku S, Alamirew T, Walsh CL, Werner D, Zeleke G. Trace Element Levels in Nails of Residents of Addis Ababa Are Shaped by Social Factors and Geography. Biol Trace Elem Res 2023; 201:577-591. [PMID: 35233714 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-022-03181-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The Akaki catchment in Ethiopia is home to Addis Ababa and about five million people. Its watercourses receive a variety of wastes released by the residents and industries. River water is being used for irrigation, livestock watering, and other domestic purposes. This study tested the hypothesis that the river pollution would be reflected in higher levels of trace elements in the nails of residents living in Akaki-Kality Sub-City in the downstream, as compared to those living in Gullele Sub-City in the upstream of the Akaki catchment. Samples were taken and subsequently analysed for metals using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The mean concentrations of Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Ni, Cr, Pb, and As in nails from Akaki-Kality were 488 ± 49, 106 ± 10, 5.2 ± 0.3, 13 ± 1.5, 11 ± 8, 2.2 ± 0.3, 0.09 ± 0.01, and 0.16 ± 0.01 μg/g, respectively. Likewise, the concentrations of Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Ni, Cr, Pb, and As in nails from Gullele were 1035 ± 135, 251 ± 10, 6.6 ± 0.4, 31 ± 3.7, 7.4 ± 1.7, 2.0 ± 0.3, 0.63 ± 0.01, and 0.25 ± 0.01 μg/g, respectively. Co and Cd were not detected. Contrary to the initial hypothesis, higher metal levels were found in nails of residents living in the upstream rather than the downstream area of the catchment. In particular, the concentrations of Fe (p = 0.000), Zn (p = 0.01), and Mn (p = 0.000) were significantly elevated in nails from Gullele and also high in comparison with internationally reported values. Besides, geography and social factors, especially education level, correlated to trace metals in nails. Most of the elements were significantly lower in the nails of individuals with a university degree compared to those who were illiterate or only completed primary school.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bitew K Dessie
- Water and Land Resource Centre, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
- Ethiopian Institute of Water Resources, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
- College of Natural and Computational Sciences, University of Gondar, P.O. Box 196, Gondar, Ethiopia.
| | - Bewketu Mehari
- College of Natural and Computational Sciences, University of Gondar, P.O. Box 196, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Sirak Robele Gari
- Ethiopian Institute of Water Resources, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Adane Mihret
- Armauer Hansen Research Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Adey F Desta
- Department of Microbial, Cellular and Molecular Biology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Samuel Melaku
- Department of Chemistry, Columbus State University, 4225 University Avenue, Columbus, GA, 31907, USA
| | - Tena Alamirew
- Water and Land Resource Centre, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Ethiopian Institute of Water Resources, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Claire L Walsh
- School of Engineering, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK
| | - David Werner
- School of Engineering, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK
| | - Gete Zeleke
- Water and Land Resource Centre, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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