EC Pharmacology And Toxicology

The Sudan is a country of rich water resources, however, some areas and states (Red Sea, Gedarif, Kordofan and Darfur) suffer from scarcity of water during the dry-season. The wet-season (Autumn/Kharif, about 4 months), extends from July to mid-October. Therefore, these states resort to water-harvesting in ponds (locally known as haffirs). Haffirs are used for drinking (human and animal), agriculture, and domestic needs and activities. These haffirs can store water for a few months during the dry-season (7-8 months). The objectives of the present study, as one of a series of studies, was to measure the concentrations of heavy metals (HMs) in the soils of 3 haffirs of Gedarif as a potential of contaminating the stored water coming from different directions, sources and sites, including streams, farms, mountains, roads, vehicle emissions, etc. This harvested water is intended for storage during the rainy-season to be used during the dry-season. The haffirs studied were Azaza, Tarfa and Elkafay. Soil samples were taken from 3 layers before water-storage (June), the surface of the haffirs, 1 - 30 cm and 31 - 60 cm depth. Samples were prepared as required, extracted, cleaned, and concentrated and the levels (ppm) of the HMs were determined using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometer ICP-OES 725 E). The HMs of concern were Pb, Cu, Zn, Fe, Cd, Mn, Ni, Mo, Ti, V, Sr, and Cr. The results showed almost all that levels of several HMs were higher than the WHO (2004) permissible levels (PLs) in soil. It is concluded that the levels of some of these pollutants might be behind the incidence of some of the reported cancers and the renal failure cases in the area. The study recommended that haffirs site selection, design, facilities, logistics and protection must be given the proper attention by researchers, health authorities, water corporations, the states and the municipalities. The other studies will cover other pollutants like pesticides and hydrocarbons in the soil and the harvested water.

 Keywords: Heavy Metals; Soil Pollution; Haffirs; Water Harvesting Ponds; Gedarif; Sudan

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