Assessment of Toxic Trace Element Exposure in Ethiopia: Impacts on Aquatic Ecosystem Quality, Food Safety, and Human Health Risks

Date
September 2025 to August 2027
Countries
Members
Keywords
toxic trace elements
aquatic ecosystems
health risks
edible crops
ecosystem resilience
Research fields
Agriculture and Food Sciences
Earth and Environmental Sciences

This research aims to investigate the presence, distribution, and impact of toxic trace elements (TTEs) in Ethiopia's aquatic ecosystems, edible crops, and their health risks. Industrialization, agriculture, and urbanization have led to TTEs contamination in aquatic system and food crops, thereby health hazards through bioaccumulation and biomagnification. This study will monitor TTEs level in water, sediment, fish, aquatic vegetations, and edible food crops at contaminated sites using ICP-MS. It also assess bioaccumulation level, food chain transfer, and human health risks by applying hazard quotients and carcinogenic risk indices. This project will identify contamination levels and exposure pathways while engaging policymakers, local communities, and agencies to develop sustainable solutions and improve regulations. This will help to enhance ecosystem resilience, safeguard public health, and inform long-term environmental management strategies in Ethiopia.