Status of heavy metal in sediments of the Turag river in Bangladesh

Abstract

The experiment was conducted to appraise the level of Cr, Pb, Cd, Ni, Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn contamination in 15 sediment samples of upstream of Turag river, at the Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh. The concentrations of Cr, Pb, Cd, Ni, Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn were 178.0, 18.3, 0.8, 155.4, 194.1, 54.8, 13679 and 5501.6 µg g-1 and the pH and EC ranged from 2.01-7.85 and 391-3910µS cm-1, respectively. Heavy metal concentrations were compared with geochemical background and standard values of previous report on the Turag and other rivers in Bangladesh. The average concentrations of Cr, Zn and Ni in sediments of the Turag are almost twice of the geochemical background i.e. average worldwide shale standard and continental upper crust. Cadmium is about three times higher than the geochemical background values. Chromium and Ni concentration exceeded the severe effect level (SEL), where as Cd, Zn and Cu exceeded toxicity reference values (TRV). The average Enrichment Factors (EFc) for Mn, Cd, Cr and Ni reflected moderate to extremely contaminated pollution. The pollution load index (PLI) varied from 1.65 to 3.21. The geoaccumulation index (Igeo) for Mn of 11 locations and Cd for a single location were greater than 2.0, and exhibited moderately to strongly polluted sediment quality. The Igeo for Zn in two locations and Ni in one location were greater than 1.0, indicated moderately polluted sediment quality. Sediment pollution load signaled alarming condition for city dwellers and aquatic ecosystem of the Turag river. Pollution sources to be sealed immediately and continuous monitoring on pollution prevention and cleanup operation is suggested.Progressive Agriculture 27 (2): 78-85, 2016

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

“…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]. The sediment of this river also contains Cd (0.8 mg/kg) and Cr (178 mg/kg) in excess concentrations [62]. More case reports on river sediment pollution by heavy metals and metalloids can be found in Table 3.…”

Heavy Metal Pollution Reduced the Potentiality of Pen Culture in the Wetland Aquaculture in an Urban Area of Bangladesh

“…It carries floodwater from the Shitalakhya River and Turag River during the flood season. In recent years, urbanization and industrialization activities near the bank of the Turag River have created an industrial pollution problem in the water due to the majority of industries discharging their effluents directly or indirectly into the Turag River without any treatment, causing pollution of the water [12][13][14]. This complex mixture of organic and inorganic hazardous chemicals entering into the Belai beel deteriorates not only the water quality but also the sediment of this beel and makes its water unsuitable for recreation, agriculture and aquaculture.…”

Review of Cadmium Pollution in Bangladesh

“…Cadmium has different exposure routes, including diet, smoking, soldering, and drinking. Such intake modes can cause a variety of health problems, including kidney damage; impact bone metabolism producing endocrine effects by increasing the parathyroid hormone; fractional excretion of calcium and urinary N-terminal telopeptide; lung cancer; disturb hormonal interactions, thyroid hormones, and growth hormones; causes sex differences in nutritional status, and hormone stimulation; decrease zinc supply for fetuses; causes oxidative stress; as well as interferes with neuronal differentiation 2,8,9,10–13. In addition, jewelry shop workers involved in soldering Cd are susceptible to pulmonary edema and are at risk of high blood pressure 10.…”