Assessment of heavy metal pollution of the stream sediment from the Omaruru Basin, Erongo Region of western central Namibia

The present study examined the level of heavy metals and potential pollution in stream sediment of Omaruru Basin, Central Namibia. For this reason, thirty (30) river sediment samples were collected at 100 m apart and a depth of about 10 to 20 cm and a 30 cm nominal diameter hole. The samples collect...

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Main Authors: Victor Uzoma Nwagbara, Erold Naomab, Mzubanzi Bismark Tyobeka, Sylvanus Ameh Onjefu, James Abah, Nnenesi Kgabi, Dibaba Bayisa Gemechu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-12-01
Series:All Earth
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Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/27669645.2025.2533063
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author Victor Uzoma Nwagbara
Erold Naomab
Mzubanzi Bismark Tyobeka
Sylvanus Ameh Onjefu
James Abah
Nnenesi Kgabi
Dibaba Bayisa Gemechu
author_facet Victor Uzoma Nwagbara
Erold Naomab
Mzubanzi Bismark Tyobeka
Sylvanus Ameh Onjefu
James Abah
Nnenesi Kgabi
Dibaba Bayisa Gemechu
author_sort Victor Uzoma Nwagbara
collection DOAJ
description The present study examined the level of heavy metals and potential pollution in stream sediment of Omaruru Basin, Central Namibia. For this reason, thirty (30) river sediment samples were collected at 100 m apart and a depth of about 10 to 20 cm and a 30 cm nominal diameter hole. The samples collected were analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics, such as univariate and multivariate analyses of variance. Potential pollution risks based on contamination factor (CF), enrichment factor (EF), index of geo-accumulation (Igeo) and pollution load index (PLI) were used to assess the level and extension of pollution. The results of the analysis suggest that relatively moderate mean values of the contamination factor for Cr, Co, Pb, U, and the comparatively low mean values of the contamination factor for Ni, Fe, Mn, Al, Cu, Zn and As could be attributed to geogenic sources, anthropogenic activities and population centres along the river catchments. Therefore, regular monitoring of the Omaruru River and sediment is necessary for maintaining and restoring the sediment quality, aesthetic properties of water and ecosystem, which invariably help in protecting human health, wildlife and aquatic life.
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spelling doaj-art-2964aa5f0cd54eb8b637085848aa91912025-08-20T03:30:34ZengTaylor & Francis GroupAll Earth2766-96452025-12-0137111310.1080/27669645.2025.2533063Assessment of heavy metal pollution of the stream sediment from the Omaruru Basin, Erongo Region of western central NamibiaVictor Uzoma Nwagbara0Erold Naomab1Mzubanzi Bismark Tyobeka2Sylvanus Ameh Onjefu3James Abah4Nnenesi Kgabi5Dibaba Bayisa Gemechu6Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, Namibia University of Science and Technology, Windhoek, NamibiaOffice of the Vice Chancellor, Namibia University of Science and Technology, Windhoek, NamibiaOffice of the Vice Chancellor, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South AfricaDepartment of Biology, Chemistry and Physics, Namibia University of science and Technology, Windhoek, NamibiaDepartment of Applied Educational Sciences, School of Education, Faculty of Education and Human Sciences, University of Namibia, Katima Mulilo, NamibiaResearch Support Department, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South AfricaDepartment of Mathematics, Statistics and Actuarial Sciences, Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Namibia University of Science and Technology, Windhoek, NamibiaThe present study examined the level of heavy metals and potential pollution in stream sediment of Omaruru Basin, Central Namibia. For this reason, thirty (30) river sediment samples were collected at 100 m apart and a depth of about 10 to 20 cm and a 30 cm nominal diameter hole. The samples collected were analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics, such as univariate and multivariate analyses of variance. Potential pollution risks based on contamination factor (CF), enrichment factor (EF), index of geo-accumulation (Igeo) and pollution load index (PLI) were used to assess the level and extension of pollution. The results of the analysis suggest that relatively moderate mean values of the contamination factor for Cr, Co, Pb, U, and the comparatively low mean values of the contamination factor for Ni, Fe, Mn, Al, Cu, Zn and As could be attributed to geogenic sources, anthropogenic activities and population centres along the river catchments. Therefore, regular monitoring of the Omaruru River and sediment is necessary for maintaining and restoring the sediment quality, aesthetic properties of water and ecosystem, which invariably help in protecting human health, wildlife and aquatic life.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/27669645.2025.2533063Enrichment factornutrientsheavy metalspollutantssediment
spellingShingle Victor Uzoma Nwagbara
Erold Naomab
Mzubanzi Bismark Tyobeka
Sylvanus Ameh Onjefu
James Abah
Nnenesi Kgabi
Dibaba Bayisa Gemechu
Assessment of heavy metal pollution of the stream sediment from the Omaruru Basin, Erongo Region of western central Namibia
All Earth
Enrichment factor
nutrients
heavy metals
pollutants
sediment
title Assessment of heavy metal pollution of the stream sediment from the Omaruru Basin, Erongo Region of western central Namibia
title_full Assessment of heavy metal pollution of the stream sediment from the Omaruru Basin, Erongo Region of western central Namibia
title_fullStr Assessment of heavy metal pollution of the stream sediment from the Omaruru Basin, Erongo Region of western central Namibia
title_full_unstemmed Assessment of heavy metal pollution of the stream sediment from the Omaruru Basin, Erongo Region of western central Namibia
title_short Assessment of heavy metal pollution of the stream sediment from the Omaruru Basin, Erongo Region of western central Namibia
title_sort assessment of heavy metal pollution of the stream sediment from the omaruru basin erongo region of western central namibia
topic Enrichment factor
nutrients
heavy metals
pollutants
sediment
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/27669645.2025.2533063
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