Comparative Studies on Metal Ions and Physico Chemical Characteristics : Comparative Studies on Concentration of Selected Metal Ions and Physicochemical Characteristics of Abaya and Chamo Lakes

Lakes Chamo and Abaya are tectonic southernmost Lakes of the Ethiopian rift valley at an astronomical position of 5-8 northern latitude and 37-38 in eastern longitude within the Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples Regional State of Ethiopia at a distance of approximately 502 km south of the Capital city, Addis Ababa. Both Lakes Abaya and Chamo are characterized as alkaline - saline, with dominant ions of sodium, bicarbonate, and chlorides. Lake Chamo possesses greater concentration of the ions than Lake Abaya because of Lake Chamo's tributary rivers increasingly saline water quality, longer retention time of Lakes and the higher rate of evaporation in the Lake as well as the catchments at lower elevations in which Lake Chamo and its catchments are situated.Lakes Abaya and Chamo, which were hydrologically inter-connected by overflow, have in the past been affected by water quality changes . Thus, increase in population, water demand and use, and the need for environmental protection, necessitates launching a systematic and integrated management of resources of which the assessment and monitoring of Lake water quality is an integral and essential part.