scholarly journals Groundwater Resources in the Main Ethiopian Rift Valley: An Overview for a Sustainable Development

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 1347
Author(s):  
Sabrina Maria Rita Bonetto ◽  
Chiara Caselle ◽  
Domenico Antonio De Luca ◽  
Manuela Lasagna
Keyword(s):  
Water Resources ◽  
Rift Valley ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Local Development ◽  
Fluoride Concentration ◽  
Shallow Aquifer ◽  
World Health ◽  
Ethiopian Rift ◽  
Main Ethiopian Rift ◽  
Health And Economic Development

In arid and semi-arid areas, human health and economic development depend on water availability, which can be greatly compromised by droughts. In some cases, the presence of natural contaminants may additionally reduce the availability of good quality water. This research analyzed the water resources and hydrochemical characteristics in a rural area of the central Main Ethiopian Rift Valley, particularly in the districts of Shashemene, Arsi Negelle, and Siraro. The study was developed using a census of the main water points (springs and wells) in the area and the sampling and physico-chemical analysis of the water, with particular regard to the fluoride concentration. In many cases, fluoride content exceeded the drinking water limits set by the World Health Organization, even in the absence of anthropogenic contamination. Two different aquifers were recognized: A shallow aquifer related to the eastern escarpment and highlands, and a deep aquifer in the lowland areas of the rift valley on the basis of compositional changes from Ca–Mg/HCO3 to Na–HCO3. The distribution of fluoride, as well as pH and EC values, showed a decrease from the center of the lowlands to the eastern highlands, with similar values closely aligned along an NNE/SSW trend. All these data contribute to creating awareness among and sharing information on the risks with rural communities and local governments to support the adequate use of the available water resources and to plan appropriate interventions to increase access to fresh water, aimed at the sustainable human and rural local development of the region.

scholarly journals Geochemical Evolution of Fluoride and Implication for F− Enrichment in Groundwater: Example from the Bilate River Basin of Southern Main Ethiopian Rift

Water ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 1799 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammed Haji ◽  
Dongdong Wang ◽  
Lu Li ◽  
Dajun Qin ◽  
Yi Guo
Keyword(s):  
River Basin ◽  
Fluoride Concentration ◽  
World Health ◽  
Ethiopian Rift ◽  
Deep Groundwater ◽  
Main Ethiopian Rift ◽  
Deep Aquifers ◽  
Deep Wells ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Fluoride Enrichment

Groundwater is the most important source of drinking water. Fluoride was found in high concentrations in the groundwater from deep wells of the water supply in the southern main Ethiopian rift. The high concentration of fluoride is dominantly geogenic rather than anthropogenic in origin, as the agricultural area was not found to be contaminated with NO3−. Knowledge of fluoride enrichment will help to provide management plans for developing deep groundwater and minimizing the health risks of exposure to fluoride. The chemical processes of fluoride were investigated in the waters in the Bilate River basin using hydrochemical and isotopic tools. The F− concentration ranged from 0.5 to 1.29 mg/L in water from shallow wells and from 0.48 to 5.61 mg/L in water from deep wells. Seventy percent of deep well samples had F− > 1.5 mg/L higher than the World Health Organization potable guideline. The high fluoride concentration in the groundwater was mainly situated in the rift valley of the Bilate River basin, in contrast with low F− groundwater in the highland. The concentration of fluoride was lowest in Ca-Mg-HCO3 type groundwater and highest in Na-HCO3 type groundwater. Moreover, F− was positively correlated with HCO3−, Na+, Na+/Ca2+ and pH in groundwater and Na+/Ca2+ ratios were increased along the flow path. Hydrogeological, hydrodynamic and hydrochemical conditions are responsible for fluoride accumulation in the deep aquifers. Strong dynamic flow in highland areas flush away weathered chemical components (e.g., F−). Thus, surficial weathering is not a major controlling factor for high concentrations of Fluoride in deep groundwater but the combination of silicate hydrolysis and ion exchange mainly control fluoride enrichment in stagnant flow environments.

scholarly journals Water Quality Threats, Perceptions of Climate Change and Behavioral Responses among Farmers in the Ethiopian Rift Valley

Climate ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 92
Author(s):  
Tewodros R. Godebo ◽  
Marc A. Jeuland ◽  
Christopher J. Paul ◽  
Dagnachew L. Belachew ◽  
Peter G. McCornick
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Water Quality ◽  
Surface Water ◽  
Water Availability ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Local Development ◽  
Irrigated Agriculture ◽  
Ethiopian Rift ◽  
Adaptation Mechanism ◽  
Main Ethiopian Rift

This work aims to assess water quality for irrigated agriculture, alongside perceptions and adaptations of farmers to climate change in the Main Ethiopian Rift (MER). Climate change is expected to cause a rise in temperature and variability in rainfall in the region, reducing surface water availability and raising dependence on groundwater. The study data come from surveys with 147 farmers living in the Ziway–Shala basin and water quality assessments of 162 samples from groundwater wells and surface water. Most groundwater samples were found to be unsuitable for long term agricultural use due to their high salinity and sodium adsorption ratio, which has implications for soil permeability, as well as elevated bicarbonate, boron and residual sodium carbonate concentrations. The survey data indicate that water sufficiency is a major concern for farmers that leads to frequent crop failures, especially due to erratic and insufficient rainfall. An important adaptation mechanism for farmers is the use of improved crop varieties, but major barriers to adaptation include a lack of access to irrigation water, credit or savings, appropriate seeds, and knowledge or information on weather and climate conditions. Local (development) agents are identified as vital to enhancing farmers’ knowledge of risks and solutions, and extension programs must therefore continue to promote resilience and adaptation in the area. Unfortunately, much of the MER groundwater that could be used to cope with declining viability of rainfed agriculture and surface water availability, is poor in quality. The use of saline groundwater could jeopardize the agricultural sector, and most notably commercial horticulture and floriculture activities. This study highlights the complex nexus of water quality and sufficiency challenges facing the agriculture sector in the region, and should help decision-makers to design feasible strategies for enhancing adaptation and food security.

scholarly journals Fluoride exposure from groundwater as reflected by urinary fluoride and children's dental fluorosis in the Main Ethiopian Rift Valley

2014 ◽  
Vol 496 ◽  
pp. 188-197 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tewodros Rango ◽  
Avner Vengosh ◽  
Marc Jeuland ◽  
Redda Tekle-Haimanot ◽  
Erika Weinthal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rift Valley ◽  
Dental Fluorosis ◽  
Ethiopian Rift ◽  
Main Ethiopian Rift ◽  
Fluoride Exposure ◽  
Urinary Fluoride

scholarly journals Application of multi hydrochemical indices for spatial groundwater quality assessment: Ziway Lake Basin of the Ethiopian Rift Valley

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abraham Mechal ◽  
Hassen Shube ◽  
Tewodros Rango ◽  
Kristine Walraevens ◽  
Steffen Birk
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Water Quality Index ◽  
Rift Valley ◽  
Quality Index ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
World Health ◽  
Ethiopian Rift ◽  
Lake Basin ◽  
Climate Effect ◽  
Drinking And Irrigation

Abstract The Ethiopian Rift Valley (ERV), which is characterized by arid and semi-arid climate, groundwater is the most important water resource used for drinking and irrigation purposes. However, in the region people are suffering from severe water scarcity exacerbated by climate effect. Besides water availability, endemic water quality issues are critical and affect the suitability of the water and human health risks. The present study evaluates the suitability of groundwater for drinking and agricultural purposes in the Ziway Lake Basin (ZLB) of the ERV. Groundwater used for drinking contains multiple inorganic contaminants in levels that surpass the World Health Organization recommended limits. The most frequent of these violations were for Na+, K+, HCO3-, F- and few samples for Mn, As, U, Pb and Mo. The modeled Drinking Water Quality Index (DWQI) values of the groundwater show wide variation ranging from 12.7 (Excellent category) to 714 (Unsuitable category) with mean value of 94. Likewise, Irrigation Water Quality Index (IWQI) computed by considering EC, SAR, Na%, RSC and PI of the groundwater vary from 13.2 to 520 with mean value of 106. Both DWQI and IWQI value suggest that groundwater is generally of Excellent quality for drinking and irrigation use in the headwater regions of the ZLB and progressively becomes extremely Unsuitable towards the rift floor. The exceptionally high DWQI values to the west of Lake Ziway is mainly associated with the co-occurrence of multiple toxic elements from a groundwater from the Quaternary sediments and rhyolitic volcanic aquifers.

scholarly journals Fluoride Concentration in Ground Water and Prevalence of Dental Fluorosis in Ethiopian Rift Valley: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Habtamu Demelash Enyew ◽  
Abebe Hailu Beyene ◽  
Zewdu Abebe ◽  
Addisu Dagnaw Melese
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Ground Water ◽  
Rift Valley ◽  
Dental Fluorosis ◽  
Fluoride Concentration ◽  
Ethiopian Rift ◽  
Fluoride Level ◽  
Pooled Prevalence ◽  
Standard Value ◽  
The Mean

Abstract Background: The concentration of fluoride in ground drinking water greater than the world health organization standard value imposes a serious health, social and economic problem in developing countries. In the Ethiopian Rift Valley where deep wells are the major source of drinking water, high fluoride level is expected. Though many epidemiological studies on fluoride concentration and its adverse effects have been conducted in the region, the result is highly scattered and needs systematically summarized for better utilization. Objective: This research is aimed at estimating the pooled level of fluoride concentration in ground drinking water and the prevalence of dental fluorosis among Ethiopian rift valley residences. Methods: Cochrane library, MEDLINE/PubMed and Google scholar databases were searched for studies reporting the mean concentration of fluoride in ground water and prevalence of dental fluorosis in Ethiopian Rift valley. Search terms were identified by extracting key terms from reviews and selected relevant papers and review medical subject headings for relevant terms. Results: The mean fluoride level in ground water and the prevalence of dental fluorosis were pooled from eleven and nine primary studies conducted in Ethiopian Rift Valley respectively. The pooled mean level of fluoride in ground water therefore was 6.03 mg/l (95% CI; 4.72–7.72, p < 0.001) and the pooled prevalence of dental fluorosis among residents in Ethiopian rift valley was 32% (95% CI: 25, 39%, p<0.001), 29% (95% CI: 22, 36%, p<0.001) and 24% (95% CI: 17, 32%, p<0.001 for mild, moderate and sever dental fluorosis respectively. The overall prevalence of dental fluorosis is 28% (95% CI: 24, 32%, p<0.001). Conclusions: Though, the concentration level varies across different part of the rift valley region, still the level of fluoride in ground drinking water is greater than the WHO standard value (1.5mg/l). Relatively high-level pooled prevalence of dental fluorosis was also seen in Ethiopian rift valley. Therefore, further studies covering the temperature, exposure time and other intake path ways with large sample size is recommended. Interventional projects should be implemented to decrease the concentration of fluoride in the ground drinking water source. Key words: Dental fluorosis, Fluoride, Concentration, Rift Valley, Ethiopia

scholarly journals Fluoride Concentration in Ground Water and Prevalence of Dental Fluorosis in Ethiopian Rift Valley: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Habtamu Demelash Enyew ◽  
Abebe Hailu Beyene ◽  
Zewdu Abebe ◽  
Addisu Dagnaw Melese
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Ground Water ◽  
Rift Valley ◽  
Dental Fluorosis ◽  
Fluoride Concentration ◽  
Ethiopian Rift ◽  
Fluoride Level ◽  
Pooled Prevalence ◽  
Standard Value ◽  
The Mean

Abstract Background: The concentration of fluoride in ground drinking water greater than the world health organization standard value imposes a serious health, social and economic problem in developing countries. In the Ethiopian Rift Valley where deep wells are the major source of drinking water, high fluoride level is expected. Though many epidemiological studies on fluoride concentration and its adverse effects have been conducted in the region, the result is highly scattered and needs systematically summarized for better utilization. Objective: This research is aimed at estimating the pooled level of fluoride concentration in ground drinking water and the prevalence of dental fluorosis among Ethiopian rift valley residences. Methods: Cochrane library, MEDLINE/PubMed and Google scholar databases were searched for studies reporting the mean concentration of fluoride in ground water and prevalence of dental fluorosis in Ethiopian Rift valley. Search terms were identified by extracting key terms from reviews and selected relevant papers and review medical subject headings for relevant terms. Results: The mean fluoride level in ground water and the prevalence of dental fluorosis were pooled from eleven and nine primary studies conducted in Ethiopian Rift Valley respectively. The pooled mean level of fluoride in ground water therefore was 6.03 mg/l (95% CI; 4.72–7.72, p < 0.001) and the pooled prevalence of dental fluorosis among residents in Ethiopian rift valley was 32% (95% CI: 25, 39%, p<0.001), 29% (95% CI: 22, 36%, p<0.001) and 24% (95% CI: 17, 32%, p<0.001 for mild, moderate and sever dental fluorosis respectively. The overall prevalence of dental fluorosis is 28% (95% CI: 24, 32%, p<0.001). Conclusions: Though, the concentration level varies across different part of the rift valley region, still the level of fluoride in ground drinking water is greater than the WHO standard value (1.5mg/l). Relatively high-level pooled prevalence of dental fluorosis was also seen in Ethiopian rift valley. Therefore, further studies covering the temperature, exposure time and other intake path ways with large sample size is recommended. Interventional projects should be implemented to decrease the concentration of fluoride in the ground drinking water source. Key words: Dental fluorosis, Fluoride, Concentration, Rift Valley, Ethiopia

scholarly journals Characterization of Water Level Variability of the Main Ethiopian Rift Valley Lakes

Hydrology ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mulugeta Belete ◽  
Bernd Diekkrüger ◽  
Jackson Roehrig
Keyword(s):  
Water Level ◽  
Rift Valley ◽  
Ethiopian Rift ◽  
Main Ethiopian Rift ◽  
Rift Valley Lakes
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