Water is considered a vital resource because it is necessary for all aspects of human and ecosystem survival. However, due to natural processes and anthropogenic activities, various pollutants have been added to the ground water system. Among these, heavy metals are some of the most serious pollutants. Cd, a toxic heavy metal used in Ni-Cd batteries, the colouration of plastic and various discarded electronic products released into the water system causes serious health issues. The chronic exposure to Cd produces a wide variety of acute and chronic effects in humans. Cd accumulates in the human body, especially in the kidneys, resulting in kidney damage (renal tubular damage), which is a critical health effect. Other effects of Cd exposure are disturbances in calcium metabolism, hypercalciuria and the formation of kidney stones. High exposure to Cd can lead to lung cancer and prostate cancer; hence, poor quality water that may result in Cd toxicity has become a global concern. Thus, the aim of this study is to determine the concentration of Cd in underground water sources in western U.P. regions. Water samples were acidified to 1% with nitric acid and then stored in double-capped polyethylene bottles for further analysis by an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. After comparing the data to the WHO (2011) permissible limit, the study revealed that the concentration of Cd was higher than the regulatory threshold; therefore, the underground water system is seriously affected by Cd toxicity.

Ganga is the largest riverine system of India with a fragile ecosystem. Its prone to anthropogenic disturbances because of its cultural, economic and environmental values. The contamination of river Ganga by heavy metals (HM) is due to biotic (anthropogenic sources) and abiotic (pesticides, fertilizers) sources that poses a devastating health hazard to human, plant and edible fish life. The chemical analysis with the help of atomic absorption spectrometer performed on its water samples demonstrated the accumulation of heavy metals such as Arsenic (As), Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), Iron (Fe), Zinc (Zn). Moreover, the spectrophotometric analysis indicated clearly the accumulation of heavy metals in order of occurrence (Fe > As > Cd > Zn > Pb) in liver and (Zn > Fe > As > Cd > Pb) in kidney of edible fish Channa punctatus . The present study has be used to sensitively monitor the extent of heavy metals pollution in the biotic aqua life of river Ramganga system and its suggested that the bioaccumulation of heavy metal in Channa punctatus has reached above permissible limits for human consumption, indicating potential health risks. Necessary biological steps should be taken to handle such food pollution and prevent the environmental risk and food chain disruption.

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