Toxicology International (Formerly Indian Journal of Toxicology)

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Evaluation of Water Quality Pollution Indices for Heavy Metal Contamination Monitoring in Surface Water of Sutlej River (India)


Affiliations
1 Department of Zoology and Environmental Sciences, Punjabi University, Patiala – 147002, Punjab, India
     

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Globally, heavy metal contamination in aquatic environment is a growing dilemma and currently reached at an alarming rate. Surface water receives metal contamination both naturally and anthropogenically. A study was conducted during October 2018 – Dec 2019 to examine the present status of heavy metal pollution in the river Sutlej (Downstream junction of Buddha Nullah), Punjab. The prime thrust is to determine the heavy metal concentrations (Arsenic, Nickel, Cadmium, Cobalt, Chromium, Boron, Manganese, Copper, Iron, Lead and Zinc) of surface water from two points at the location site and to determine the water quality indices (Heavy metal pollution index, heavy metal evaluation index and degree of contamination). Heavy metal analysis has been done using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrophotometer. The results of this study showed that the average concentration of heavy metals such as As, B, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Zn and Pb were 0.123μg/l, 0.144 μg/l, 0.047 μg/l, 0.059 μg/l, 0.189 μg/l, 0.281μg/l, 1.424μg/l, 0.097μg/l, 0.291μg/l, 0.904 μg/l and 0.631 μg/l respectively. The overall mean concentration of heavy metals was observed in the following order Fe >Zn>Pb>Cu>Ni>Cr>B>As>Mn>Co>Cd. The HPI and HEI (water quality indices) for As, Fe, Mn, Ni, Zn, Pb, Cd, Cr and Cu were 503.05, 55.55 respectively. It is concluded that the study area is critically polluted with heavy metals that are lethal to aquatic life and humans.

Keywords

Domestic Waste, Heavy Metal Pollution, Industrial Wastewater, Water Quality Index
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  • Evaluation of Water Quality Pollution Indices for Heavy Metal Contamination Monitoring in Surface Water of Sutlej River (India)

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Authors

Onkar Singh Brraich
Department of Zoology and Environmental Sciences, Punjabi University, Patiala – 147002, Punjab, India
Reetu Jassal
Department of Zoology and Environmental Sciences, Punjabi University, Patiala – 147002, Punjab, India

Abstract


Globally, heavy metal contamination in aquatic environment is a growing dilemma and currently reached at an alarming rate. Surface water receives metal contamination both naturally and anthropogenically. A study was conducted during October 2018 – Dec 2019 to examine the present status of heavy metal pollution in the river Sutlej (Downstream junction of Buddha Nullah), Punjab. The prime thrust is to determine the heavy metal concentrations (Arsenic, Nickel, Cadmium, Cobalt, Chromium, Boron, Manganese, Copper, Iron, Lead and Zinc) of surface water from two points at the location site and to determine the water quality indices (Heavy metal pollution index, heavy metal evaluation index and degree of contamination). Heavy metal analysis has been done using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrophotometer. The results of this study showed that the average concentration of heavy metals such as As, B, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Zn and Pb were 0.123μg/l, 0.144 μg/l, 0.047 μg/l, 0.059 μg/l, 0.189 μg/l, 0.281μg/l, 1.424μg/l, 0.097μg/l, 0.291μg/l, 0.904 μg/l and 0.631 μg/l respectively. The overall mean concentration of heavy metals was observed in the following order Fe >Zn>Pb>Cu>Ni>Cr>B>As>Mn>Co>Cd. The HPI and HEI (water quality indices) for As, Fe, Mn, Ni, Zn, Pb, Cd, Cr and Cu were 503.05, 55.55 respectively. It is concluded that the study area is critically polluted with heavy metals that are lethal to aquatic life and humans.

Keywords


Domestic Waste, Heavy Metal Pollution, Industrial Wastewater, Water Quality Index

References