Dissertation (MSc Chemistry)
This dissertation reports on a comparison of the physico-chemical parameters between hot springs and borehole waters. Thirty four samples were collected at Mara, Shinyanga, Singida, Manyara and Dodoma in Tanzania. Multimeter used for the analysis of physical parameters pH, EC, TDS, salinity and turbidity. Titrimetric methods were used for chemical parameters Cl−, total hardness, Ca2+ and 2+Mg. UV-Vis spectrophotometric for NO3−2−, SO42+−, F , Fe2+ and Mn and Flame Atomic Absorption for Cd2+2+2+ , Zn2+ , Ni , Cu+ and K . The EC, TDS, salinity, turbidity, Cl−−, NO32− , SO42+−, F, Mn2+ and Cu are higher (EC= 508.33-15334 µS/cm, TDS=249.33-7526.67 mg/L, salinity=0.27-8.67 ppt, turbidity=0.4-513.73 NTU, Cl−=54.32-3577.62 mg/L, NO3−= 0.00-63.30 mg/L, SO42−=11.83-1353.33 mg/L, F−=0.18-18 mg/L, Mn2+=0.6-2.0 mg/L and Cu2+=0.36-0.93 mg/L) in hot springs than borehole waters (EC = 270.0-2674.64 µS/cm, TDS=123.67-1305.0 mg/L, salinity=0.3-1.37 ppt, turbidity=0.55-147.88 NTU, Cl−=6.25-356.50 mg/L, −=0.91-39.25 mg/L, SO4NO32−=28.92-493.33 mg/L, F−=0.18-3.0 mg/L, Mn2+=0.3-1.70 mg/L and CuFe2+=0.27-0.64 mg/L). Other parameters total hardness, Ca2+2+, Mg2+ are higher in borehole waters than hot springs. Thet-test (p=0.05)showed that there is significant difference of the parameters pH, EC, salinity, TDS,F2+and Ni−2+ and Ni between hot spring and borehole waters. Some of the parameters are at higher levels than permissible values for both hot spring and borehole waters. Therefore, there is a need of treatment for these waters before using for domestic purpose.
Key words:
Hot spring water, borehole water, physico-chemical parameters,
Northern and Central Tanzania, titrimetry, UV-Vis spectrophotometry and FAAS
methods.