Greener Journal of  Physical Sciences Vol. 2 (4), pp. 138-140, October, 2012.

ISSN: 2276-7851 © 2011 Greener Journals

Research Paper

Manuscript Number: 102112125

 

Physico-chemical properties of waters from some Ethiopian hot springs and the risk to the health of the community

 

G D Haki^1* and T B Gezmu²

 

^1*Department of Food Science and Technology University of Botswana, Botswana College of Agriculture, 

 Private Bag 0027, Gaborone, Botswana

² Center for Food Science and Nutrition, P.O. Box 1176, Addis Ababa Addis  Ababa, Ethiopia, 

tbekele57 @yahoo. com 

 

*Corresponding Author’s E-mail: gulelatw@ yahoo. com or hgulelat @ bca.bw

Abstract:

Many Ethiopians believe that water from hot springs can relieve from a number of diseases and is considered to be the cleanest of all. The physico-chemical properties of water from seven Ethiopian hyperthermal springs which were at 44.8-93.4oC and with a pH of 6.4-8.4 were analyzed. The pH, turbidity, chlorine, sulphate, nitrate, nitrite and ammonia fell within the range stipulated for drinking water by WHO. Bicarbonate and sodium ions including conductivity values were high. As the practice is not hygienic the water may cause acute infectious diarrhea, repeat or chronic diarrhea episodes, and other non-diarrheal disease, which can arise from the chemical species.
 
Keywords: Ethiopia, hyperthermal springs, Physico-chemical properties, Hot springs, Acute and infectious diarrhea.

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