Characterization of atmospheric bulk deposition: implications on the quality of rainwater harvesting systems in the semi-arid city of Mekelle, northern Ethiopia
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Date
2016
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Springer
Abstract
It is estimated that about 1.2 billion people, mostly in arid and semi-arid regions of the Middle East and Africa, live in regions where water is physically scarce. Recently, rainwater harvesting and more effective water storage are suggested as important means for investment to cope against water scarcity and as an adaption to climate change. Cognizant of this fact, contribution of atmospheric deposition contaminant to rainwater harvesting systems, in the semi-arid city of Mekelle was investigated at four locations (industrial, commercial, traffic and residential areas). A total of 24 bulk samples were collected during the rainy season from May to September 2014. Physicochemical water quality analysis was performed following standard protocols. The results revealed that alkaline pH (6.95–10.29) was recorded in all the locations, with a mean pH of 8.11. The major ions analysis indicated the dominance of bicarbonates and carbonate types and to some extent sulfate and chloride type mixtures justifying the source of alkaline pH. Mean concentrations of ions follow the order of SO4 2−> Ca2+ > Mg2+ > CI−> NO3 −> Na+ > NH4 + > K. Correlation between SO4 2− and NO3 − (r = 0.436), and Mg2+ and K+ (r = 0.707) suggested their anthropogenic and crustal origin, respectively, while the correlation between NH4 + with Ca2+ and Mg2+ ascribed their role in alkalization of the rainwater. Moreover, principal component analysis showed spatiotemporal variation of atmospheric bulk components in the study area. Thus, this primary investigation demonstrated that atmospheric bulk deposition might pose public health risk due to poor rainwater quality in Mekelle city. Therefore, development of rainwater harvesting systems for semi-arid urban centers should be supplemented with low-cost water treatment technologies.
Description
Abstract. Full text available at https://doi.org/10.1007/s40710-016-0133-7
Keywords
Rainwater harvesting, Principal component analysis, Atmospheric deposition, Rainwater quality, Mekelle city, Rainwater quality, Rainwater harvesting systems, Water harvesting, Rain water, Water quality
Citation
Taffere, G. R., Beyene, A., Vuai, S. A., Gasana, J., & Seleshi, Y. (2016). Characterization of atmospheric bulk deposition: Implications on the quality of rainwater harvesting systems in the semi-arid city of Mekelle, Northern Ethiopia. Environmental Processes, 3, 247-261.