Water Quality Assessment of an Industrial Zone Polluted Aquatic Body in Dhaka, Bangladesh

Abstract

Water quality in the aquatic body of Dhaka Export Processing Zone (DEPZ) area was studied on the basis of some physiochemical parameters and heavy metal concentrations. Physiochemical parameters like pH, Electrical Conductivity (EC), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) and concentrations of some heavy metals like As, Cd, Cu, Co, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Hg and Zn were measured. Among different physiochemical parameters, pH, TDS and EC were found within the range. The range of pH for all of the samples was found from 7.1 to 8.17 and 120 to 450 mg/L for TDS. The Values of EC were found from 90 to 300 µs cm -1 . For pH, EC and TDS, though the ranges were within the limits but there was an increasing trend of the values was observed in every case which is highly alarming. The range of COD values was estimated from 90 to 300 mg/L and in most of the samples the values exceeded the standard range. The heavy metal containments of the surface water indicated that the concentrations of Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn, Hg and As were obtained below the permissible limit, detection by WHO, 1996. On the other hand, concentrations of Cd, Co, Fe, Pb, Mn and Hg were exceeded the permissible limits. Correlation matrix shows a significant correlation among Pb, Cu, Co, Mn and Fe. Enrichment factor shows high concentrations of Cd, Cr and Hg. Stated environmental condition is highly vulnerable for human being, that's why this is the time to take proper steps for remediation and preventing the pollution around DEPZ water body which is directly related to the industrial emission of DEPZ.

Surface and Ground Water Pollution in Bangladesh: A Review

“…The sample selection site should be representative of the water body being investigated. Sampling sites selection of Mouri river [64] did not explain well enough by providing information whereas the sampling sites selection in Buriganga river [20] industrial zone of Dhaka [97] were explained along with sufficient information. The study period for environmental research conveys a significant essence to evaluate the pollution status of water body.…”

“…A study [42] reported that in absence of Hg emitting source, an area can be polluted by Hg due to the global Hg cycle through the air and water. The concentration of Hg in the Turag river is in the range of 0.009-0.0151 mg/l [12] and that of in the DEPZ area is 0.0025-0.0059 mg/l [97] both are over the safe level 0.005 mg/l [119].…”

Electroanalytical Determination of Cd(II) and Pb(II) in Bivalve Mollusks using Electrochemically Reduced Graphene Oxide‐based Electrode

“…However, in recent years, anthropogenic factors associated with urbanization and industrial processes have contributed significantly to the presence of heavy metals in aquatic ecosystems. Heavy metals such as Cd and Pb are not biodegradable, and can easily accumulate in products of high commercial demand such as fish and shellfish [4]. Within these marine resources are the filtering invertebrate organisms (bivalve mollusks), capable of accumulating metals and metalloids at different levels in their tissues and organs [5,6].…”

Assessment of Inland Water Quality Parameters of Dhaka City, Bangladesh

“…Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh experienced in the rapid population growth and accounted for about 37.40 percent of the total urban population in 2001. The unplanned urbanization and industrialization is alarming for decreasing natural environment where water sector or hydrological system is more vulnerable [6,7]. The pollution from industrial and urban waste effluents and from agrochemicals in some water bodies and rivers has reached alarming levels [8].…”