Heavy metal pollution load in sediment samples of the Buriganga river in Bangladesh

Abstract

A study was conducted to assess the level of Cr, Pb, Cd, Ni, Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn contamination in the sediment samples of the Buriganga river, at the Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh. Total 14 sediment samples were collected from different areas of upstream of the Buriganga river. The mean concentrations of total Cr, Pb, Cd, Ni, Fe, Cu, Zn and Mn in the sediment samples were 173.4, 31.4, 1.5, 153.3, 481.8, 344.2, 12989 and 4036 µg g -1 , respectively. The range of pH and EC of sediment were 5.87-8.21 and 230-707 µS cm -1 , respectively. The mean value of organic matter in sediment samples was 13.4%. Heavy metal concentrations in sediment were compared with geochemical background and standard values, previous report on the Buriganga river and other rivers in Bangladesh. The average concentration of Cr, Pb and Ni in sediments of the Buriganga river is almost twice of the geochemical background i.e. average worldwide shale standard and continental upper crust value, Cd and Zn is about five times and Cu content is about ten times higher than the geochemical background values. Average concentration of Cr, Cu and Ni exceeded the severe effect level (SEL) values, where as Pb, Cd and Zn exceeded toxicity reference values (TRV). However, the concentration of heavy metal in the sediment samples of the Buriganga river for the year 2009 of the same river reported by corresponding author was relatively higher than this study average. The average Enrichment factors (EFc) for Zn, Cu, Mn and Cd reflects extremely contaminated pollution level which implies that these metals originated from point source of pollution and very severely enriched in river sediments. The pollution load index (PLI) of sediments of the studied region varied from 1.61-7.51. The geoaccumulation index (I geo ) for Cu of five locations was greater than 3.0, which exhibited strongly polluted sediment quality. The I geo for Mn in 11 locations and Zn in 12 sites were greater than 1.0, indicated moderately polluted sediment quality. Heavy metal pollution intensity in the Buriganga river water and sediments signaled alarming condition for city dwellers and aquatic ecosystem of the river. Sustainable steps and continuous monitoring on pollution prevention and cleanup operation is suggested to minimize pollution.

Occurrences and Ecotoxicological Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Surface Sediments from Awash River Basin, Ethiopia

“…A comparison between other local studies (Lake Awasa) [38] and the Awash River Basin indicates that samples from the latter showed higher average concentrations for all tested heavy metals with the exception of Pb. A comparison with reports from other countries exhibited that the concentration of Cd in this study is higher than the mean values in reports from Buriganga River, Bangladesh [39]; Neretva River Valley, Croatia [40]; Yangtze River Basin, China [41]; Lijiang River, China [42]; and Danube River, Germany [43]. However, the Cd concentration from this study is lower than those found in results from Almendares River, Cuba [44] and Tigris River, Turkey [45].…”

“…Hg and As contents in the Lijiang River, China [42] and the Danube River, Germany [43] were higher than those of the Awash River Basin. Moreover, the mean values for Cr, Cu, Ni, and Zn in Neretva River Valley, Croatia [40]; Yangtze River Basin, China [41]; Lijiang River, China [42]; and Danube River, Germany [43] were lower than the average values of the Awash River Basin while Buriganga River, Baangladish [39]; Almendares River, Cuba [44]; and Tigris River, Turkey [45] showed higher contamination with Cu, Ni, and Zn. Industrial and municipal wastewater are the major artificial sources of Cr, Cu, and Ni [48].…”

Heavy metals in water, sediment and three fish species of Dhaleshwari river, Savar

“…This study recorded Cr, Cu, Pb and Cd concentrations of Dhaleshwari river water were slightly higher than the findings of Ahmed et al (2012). Concentrations of Cr, Pb, Cd and in river sediment collected from Dhaleshwari river were higher than the findings of Mohiuddin et al (2016) who conducted similar study in Buriganga river. This study reported that the concentrations of Cr, Cu, Pb and Cd in the river sediment were much higher than the findings of Ahmed et al (2012).…”

Heavy Metal and Metalloid Pollution of Soil, Water and Foods in Bangladesh: A Critical Review

“…During the last few years heavy metal and metalloid load together with organic pollutants of these rivers increased to unexpected levels from various sources; therefore, these rivers are known as the “Biologically Dead Rivers” in Bangladesh [59]. The sediments of the Buriganga River also contain concentrations of Pb, Cd, and Cr higher than the standard values [60,61] (Table 2). The Turag River contains Pb (0.073–0.1mg/L) and Cr (0.039–0.061 mg/L) in higher concentrations because of the heavy industrialization on both sides of this river [55].…”