Assessment of heavy metals in soil and water from Bahi district, Tanzania

This study presents analysis of heavy metals concentrations in soil and water samples collected from villages near Bahi Swamp found in Bahi district, Tanzania. The research involved quantitative analyses methods of heavy metals in the laboratory and the use of descriptive statistical methods to draw conclusion. A total of 45 soil samples and 21 water samples were collected from five locations near Bahi Swamp which was pre-selected from northern and the eastern part. Heavy metals from soil and water samples were analyzed by using energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (ED-XRF) spectrometry and atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) technique, respectively. The concentrations of nine heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Mn, Zr, Cu, As, Zn, Sr, Cs) in soil samples and three in water samples (Mn, Zn, Cu) were determined. The mean concentrations of heavy metal from soil samples were Pb (29.60 ± 7.50 mg kg-1), Cd (403.20 ± 507.44 mg kg-1), Mn (478.27 ± 245.86 mg kg-1), Zr (206.00 ± 79.47 mg kg-1), Cu (52.00 ± 5.24 mg kg-1), As (5.27 ± 1.66 mg kg-1), Zn (48.47 ± 31.18 mg kg-1), Sr (21.93 ± 36.99 mg kg-1), and Cs (34.00 ± 10.95 mg kg-1). Soil samples exhibited diverse trace element patterns, with concentrations following the order As