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Fresh water is one of the most important for the survival of all living things. Geological or anthropogenic activities can influence water and soil pollution. Water quality and soil were assessed in central Tanzania, where a large population uses mainly ground water and playground soil with an unknown level of contamination. Therefore, drinking water (66 samples) and playground soil (33 samples) were collected from selected primary schools in central Tanzania. Selected physical and chemical parameters of water and heavy metals in playground soil such as turbidity, total dissolved solids, electric conductivity, pH, nitrate ion, fluoride ion, total hardness, alkalinity, and heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cu, Cr, and Ni) were assessed. A flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer was used to analyze heavy metals in water and soil. A Colorimeter and UV-VIS spectrophotometer was used to determine fluoride and nitrate in water samples, respectively. Findings were shown to show a variety of physical and chemical parameters of water and heavy metals in soil at different sampling points. In some areas, physical parameters such as turbidity (39.4%), total dissolved solids (7.5%), and electric conductivity (6%) exceed the standards required by WHO and TBS, while other areas are within safe limits. Chemical parameters such as pH, nitrate ion (69.5%), fluoride ion (21.2%), total hardness (3%), alkalinity (7.5%), in water exceed the safe limit, except heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cu, Cr, and Ni) was not detected in all water samples. Same of the parameters (EC and TDS, turbidity and fluoride, Nitrate and pH) shown a clear positive corilation in water samples. In soil samples, Ni (12.1%) and Cr (21.2%) were found in high than safe limit, while Pb, Cu, and Cd were found to be within the safe limits set by WHO and TBS. East to west route found to has higher level of Cr (25%) and Ni (18.75%) in playground soil but north to south was less, Cr (17.6%) and Ni (5.9%). All parameters shows the slightly increase from east to west but no clear variation has shown from north to south route. Overall, the results indicate a critical need for regular testing and monitoring of water and playground soil around primary schools before they are taken into use, and awareness should be created among the communities on soil and water contamination |
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