Tanneries wastewater characteristics and trend analysis in Ethiopia - Tapa blanda

The study examines the characteristics of wastewater discharged from tanneries in Ethiopia. Waste water sample was taken at the discharge point to determine the physico chemical parameters. Chromium (3+) concentration of the wastewater was determined by SLC 208. TSS, COD, Cl, Ammonia, sulfides and Phosphate-of the waste water analysis also performed in the laboratory by APHA2540-D, APHA 5220 B-COD, APHA 4550-Cl-B, APHA 4500-NH3, SLC 202, and Hack Lange (LCK349) methods respectively. The average value of each wastewater parameters were compared with standard value set by Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change. The result of Cr(3+), PH, TSS, COD, Cl, Ammonia, sulfides and Phosphate is 27.6 mg/lit,7.63 pH unit , 631.4mg/lit , 1597.9 mg/lit , 2493mg/lit ,111.2mg/lit ,52.35mg/lit and 0.78 mg/lit respectively. The results of all parameters except pH and Phosphate were above standard values set by Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change. The result of the study indicated that the physcio-chemical parameters of the wastewater discharged from tanneries contains high pollutant load and have impact on human health and aquatic ecosystem.

Bethelhem Tegegn Weldu received Bsc degree in Chemical Engineering from Addis Ababa University, she had been working in AAEPA as an Environmental Pollution researcher, and is currently working in Leather Industry Development Institute as an Environmental Engineer /Researcher her professional interests focus on waste treatment,cleaner production.