Heavy metal contamination and risk assessment on ecological and public health in a tropical estuarine river

Md. Ayeunddin Haque 1 , Afia Zinat 2 , Md. Abu Sayed Jewel 3 , Bithy Khatun 4 , Abdus Satter 5 , Partha Sarathi Das 6 , Md. Hashibur Rahman 7 , Md. Nahiduzzaman 8

1   Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute, Mymensingh - 2201, BANGLADESH
2   Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Fisheries, University of Rajshahi, Rajshai - 6205, BANGLADESH
3   Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Fisheries, University of Rajshahi, Rajshai - 6205, BANGLADESH
4   Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Fisheries, University of Rajshahi, Rajshai - 6205, BANGLADESH
5   Bangamata Sheikh Fojilatunnesa Mujib Science & Technology University, Melandah, Jamalpur, BANGLADESH
6   Bangamata Sheikh Fojilatunnesa Mujib Science & Technology University, Melandah, Jamalpur, BANGLADESH
7   Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute, Mymensingh - 2201, BANGLADESH
8   Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute, Mymensingh - 2201, BANGLADESH

✉ Coressponding author: See PDF.

doi https://doi.org/10.26832/24566632.2023.0803020

doi

Abstract

Heavy metals contamination of water is one of the most severe environmental and public health issues. The present study was conducted to assess the levels of lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) in surface water of the Pasur River estuary in Bangladesh along with their health risk through the ingestion and dermal exposure. The decreasing order of studied metals was Cr > Pb >Cu > Zn > As > Cd with the mean value of 0.050 > 0.024 > 0.021 > 0.014 > 0.012 > 0.006 mg/L respectively. Pb, Cr, Cd and Zn concentration in water samples exceeded the safe limits of drinking water and thereby not safe for drinking. The multivariate analysis identified the common anthropogenic source and existence of studied metals. Heavy metal pollution index (HPI) and heavy metal evaluation index (HEI) indicated significant contamination of water. The HQ and HI through ingestion and dermal contact were <1 except for the adult, whereas HQ (only for As) and HI value through ingestion was >1 indicating an unacceptable risk of non-carcinogenic effects on public health. Carcinogenic risk through ingestion (CRing) indicated that consumption of water from Pasur River estuary may develop cancer risk of Cd. Therefore, strict rules and regulations must be adopted to reduce water contamination of this tidal river from anthropogenic sources for improving the health of this riverine ecosystem.

Keywords:

Ecological assessment, Estuary, Health risk, Heavy metals, Pollution index

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Published

2023-09-25

How to Cite

Haque, M. A., Zinat, A., Jewel, M. A. S., Khatun, B., Satter, A., Das, P. S., Rahman, M. H., & Nahiduzzaman, M. (2023). Heavy metal contamination and risk assessment on ecological and public health in a tropical estuarine river. Archives of Agriculture and Environmental Science, 8(3), 411-420. https://doi.org/10.26832/24566632.2023.0803020

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Research Articles