A Pilot Study on the Concentration of Heavy Metals in Sediments from the Lower Orange River, //Karas Region, Namibia

Global water shortage is caused not just by the physical scarcity of water, but also gradual deterioration quality resources such as lakes, streams and rivers with heavy metals. This present study evaluated status Mn, Fe, Cr, Cu, Ni, As, Zn, Pb Cd in sediments from lower Orange River Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry technique collecting a total eleven samples, each weighing 1 - 2 kg at depth 15 20 cm two observations sites along applying pollution indicators contamination factor(CF), load index(PLI), index geo-accumulation(Igeo) enrichment factor(EF) to assay nature extent metals sediments. The sequence metal content descending order was Fe > Mn Cr As Zn Ni Cu Cd. results CF Igeo showed Cd, were minor sources sediment since most samples unpolluted moderately polluted these However, moderate considerably suggesting that major sources. value PLI one observation equivalent baseline level, while next site indicted EF revealed enriched arsenic (As) significantly all sediments, which suggested due anthropogenic intervention. Hence, it recommended be on regular basis avoid further River’s health, might have detrimental repercussions for both aquatic life local communities river.