Chemical pollutants from an industrial estate in Pakistan: a threat to environmental sustainability

Abstract

Industrial sector is the backbone of the development of a country; however, its untreated effluents are damaging various ecological phenomena. Every day huge amounts of municipal, industrial and agricultural wastes are being released into the environment, causing serious ecological problems. Pakistan is currently experiencing profound demographic, economic changes and energy crisis that pose serious limitations on spending capital on water treatment. However, no serious effort has been put forth by any agency in Pakistan to characterize the exact nature and concentrations of contaminants found in wastewaters originating from various industrial zones. The current study aimed to characterize the industrial effluent quality of Hattar Industrial Estate, Hattar, Pakistan. The effluent samples were collected from five different drains, each having the combined effluent of many industries. All the samples were characterized for pH, temperature, TS, TDS, TSS, EC, DO, BOD, COD, turbidity, nitrates (NO 3 -N), phosphates (PO 4 ), ammonia (NH 4 -N) and different heavy metals according to the standard methods. Majority of the water quality parameters exceeded the National Environmental Quality Standards in the country. These pollutants may have serious impacts on the soil profile, groundwater quality and freshwater ecosystems and thus need attention of policy makers to install a centralized wastewater treatment plant.

Evaluation of Toxicity on Ctenopharyngodon idella Due to Tannery Effluent Remediated by Constructed Wetland Technology

“…Industrial growth has negatively impacted the environmental quality [1], particularly aquatic life, due to disposal of voluminous amounts of effluents into natural water resources, on a daily basis, all over the world [2][3][4]. Some chemicals contained in industrial effluents have been reported to be highly toxic, in a variable degree depending on the dose and exposure duration [5,6], having potential to impart serious damage to aquatic life [7,8]. Among the most vulnerable sectors is aquaculture, which is also of main importance, as it constitutes an essential opportunity to meet the global food security challenge [9].…”

Development and Application of Exceedance Model for Surface Water Quality Parameters

“…The industrial zones release many water pollutants in fresh water bodies. These pollutants have very long-lasting effects on the sustainability of local ecosystems [7]. The industrial wastewaters contain many toxic inorganic and organic compounds like PCB, PAH, VOCs, etc.…”

“…The industrial wastewaters contain many toxic inorganic and organic compounds like PCB, PAH, VOCs, etc. which can cause damage to delicate aquatic ecosystems [7]. The water pollution of rivers not only affects the environmental sustainability but also caused economic burden through its impacts on human health due to the dependency of potable water on rivers in many parts of the world [32].…”

“…and natural factors (i.e., geology, soil, climate, precipitation etc.). The climatic changes can degrade the water quality [5][6][7]. The temperature variations due to seasonal changes also affect the surface water quality in Alberta.…”

Efficiency of Aluminium Pillared Montmorillonite Clays of Pakistani Origin (Peshawar And Samwal) on the Adsorption of Chromium Ions in Aqueous Solutions

“…Rapid and disorganized urbanization along with dense industrialization in Pakistan has led to severe environmental degradation and exploitation of natural resources [1]. Wastewater generated from various industrial units is usually expelled into surrounding areas damaging ecosystem especially human life [2]. Industrial processes such as metal plating facilities, mining operations, fertilizer industries, tanneries, batteries, paper industries and pesticides produce effluents enriched with heavy metals that are directly or indirectly discharged into the environment.…”