The Akaki River and its tributaries, in the city of Addis Ababa, are polluted by potentially toxic elements (PTEs) (Sb, Zn, Cd, As, Hg, Cu, Pb, Fe, V, Ni, Co, Mn, Cr, B, Sr and Ba) in varying degrees due to the significantly fast urban expansion and the industrial activities. The water samples collected from twenty-six different locations or sampling sites along the River and some of its tributaries were analyzed by ICP-MS to determine PTEs. The multivariate component analysis was used to evaluate the relationship and interdependency among the PTEs. The results showed that the mean concentrations for most of PTEs exceeded the recommended limits of drinking and irrigation water quality guidelines. A strong and positive relationship was observed among many of PTEs in the river water indicating common sources. The concentrations of many PTEs in the study area exceeded those previously reported and also varied with site or location, signifying localized contributions of the different contaminants associated with municipal, domestic, industrial, hospitals, garages and other activities. These findings of this study should help highlight and focus water quality management on key PTEs of concern and prioritize efforts to mitigate their release into surface waters in the city. Given the potential health implications of the PTEs mitigation measures should be sought as a matter of urgency by the relevant authorities in Ethiopia.

亚的斯亚贝巴市的阿卡基河及其支流受到潜在有毒元素（PTE）的污染（Sb，Zn，Cd，As，Hg，Cu，Pb，Fe，V，Ni，Co，Mn，Cr， B，Sr和Ba）在不同程度上归因于城市快速扩张和工业活动。ICP-MS分析了沿河及其支流的26个不同地点或采样点采集的水样，并确定了PTE。多元分量分析用于评估PTE之间的关系和相互依赖性。结果表明，大多数PTE的平均浓度均超过了饮用水和灌溉水质量准则的建议限值。观察到河水中许多PTE之间存在密切而积极的关系，这表明它们是共同来源。研究区域中许多PTE的浓度超过了先前报道的浓度，并且随地点或位置而变化，这表明与市政，家庭，工业，医院，车库和其他活动有关的不同污染物的局部贡献。这项研究的这些发现应有助于重点关注关注的PTE并将水质管理重点突出，并优先考虑减轻其排放到城市地表水中的努力。鉴于PTE对健康的潜在影响，埃塞俄比亚有关当局应紧急寻求缓解措施。这项研究的这些发现应有助于重点关注关注的PTE并将水质管理重点突出，并优先考虑减轻其排放到城市地表水中的努力。鉴于PTE对健康的潜在影响，埃塞俄比亚有关当局应紧急寻求缓解措施。这项研究的这些发现应有助于重点关注关注的PTE并将水质管理重点突出，并优先考虑减轻其排放到城市地表水中的努力。鉴于PTE对健康的潜在影响，埃塞俄比亚有关当局应紧急寻求缓解措施。