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Seasonal Variation of Heavy Metal Concentrations in Water and Plant Samples Around Tejgaon Industrial Area of Bangladesh

M. N. MONDOL*
Department of Soil, Water and Environment, University of Dhaka, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh

A. S. CHAMON
Department of Soil, Water and Environment, University of Dhaka, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh

B. FAIZ AND
Department of Soil, Water and Environment, University of Dhaka, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh

S. F. ELAHI
Department of Soil, Water and Environment, University of Dhaka, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The Tejgaon industrial area is located within the Dhaka City Corporation and is about 5 km north of the city centre. Heavy metal concentration at different sampling points varied in different seasons and the maximum amount was observed in the dry season (January). Total Fe, Pb, Cd, Mn, Ni, Zn, Cu and Cr concentrations in water samples during dry season ranged from 0.11 - 2.78, 0.733 - 2.171, 0.05 - 0.1, 0.019 - 0.34, 0.02 - 0.17, 0.01 - 0.348, 0.10 - 0.846, and 0.02 - 0.09 mg/l respectively. The present study revealed that the pollution level was very much alarming and increasing slowly day by day. According to WHO guidelines, during both wet and dry seasons 100% water samples were found in the group of "in excess of tolerable level" for Pb (0.01 mg/l). 63, 42, 79, 58 and 95% water samples were found in the group of 'in excess of tolerable level' during dry season for Cu, Ni, Cd, Cr and Mn. Only 26% of the plant samples had Ni (< 20 mg/kg) in the normal range and 74% (≥ 20 - 30 mg/kg) plant samples were found in the group of "in excess of tolerable level" during dry season which was 63% (≥ 20 - 30 mg/kg) during wet season. Cadmium and Pb in plant samples found in the group of "in excess of tolerable level" was 26, 79% (> 10 mg kg), and 33, 59% (> 20 mg/kg) during wet and dry season, respectively. Plant samples accumulated more and tolerated higher amounts of Cr during dry season. Average concentration of Fe, Mn and Zn at different locations and plant species were 220.81, 279.33 and 239.81 mg/kg and 212.0, 313.43 and 159.19 mg/kg during wet and dry seasons, respectively. Kalmi, water hyacinth, grass (in wet season) and Boro rice, Cabbage (in dry season) accumulated the maximum concentration of Fe and Mn. In the rainy season the pollution was lower because of heavy rainfall and flushed out through the canal into the adjoining vast flood zone.

Keywords: Tejgaon area; Water; Plant; Seasonal variation; Industrial area; Heavy metals

Location: Around Tejgaon industrial area, Dhaka

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Risk Management in Agriculture

Commodity: Heavy metal

Objectives:

The aims of this work are: (1) monitoring seasonal variations of trace elements in the plant and water bodies around Tejgaon area following Balu river, (2) finding the environmental impact of industrial effluents on plant and water bodies, (3) providing the base line data on surface water quality to policy makers to manage and protect water bodies from water pollution for maintaining environmental ecological balance.

Methodology:

The main focus of the study is Tejgaon industrial area which is located within the Dhaka City Corporation and about 5 km north of the city centre. The study area consisted of two distinct areas . One was the lagoon bordering Tejaon industrial area. This area received the drainage residue of the industrial area, Gulshan model town, Niketan Housing Society, Begunbari and other adjoining residential and slum areas including numerous classified/ unclassified industries. The other consisted of the canal which received the inflow from the lagoon and drained into Balu river. The effluents from many diverse industries in Tejgaon industrial area flow into a lagoon where the residue settles into a thick muck. It overflows through a sluice gate at Rampura into a channel which flows east for about 10 km to Balu river which in turn flows into Sitalakhya river. The whole area is really a flood drainage zone. The common agricultural crop is rice with substantial amount of various vegetables like chilli, capsicum, carrot, cauliflower, cabbage, coriander, water gourd, and tomato. There are abundance of water hyacinth and natural grasses inside the embankment, which are used as fodder for domestic animals. Water and plant samples were collected from the study area at two dates, September, 2006 (wet season) and January, 2007 (dry season). The sampling sites were georeferenced with GPS (Geographical Positioning System). During wet season, due to influx of rain and flood water from surrounding areas, water samples were collected from 29 and plant from 27 sampling points but as water receded in the dry season, both (water and plant) samples were collected from 19 sampling points. Water samples (500 ml) were collected from each site in deionized polyethylene bottles fitted with liquid-tight stopper from source water. The water samples were immediately acidified with 4 ml of concentrated hydrochloric acid per liter and analyzed within 7 days of collection. Plant samples were collected fresh from the field in required amounts, wrapped in polyethylene bags and transported to laboratory and preserved at +4^oC for processing on the next day. All plant samples were air dried and placed in oven for drying at 70^oC and then ground to powder to pass through a 2 mm sieve for chemical analysis. The results of experiments reported were statistically evaluated by the DMRT. Different letters were used to signify the statistically different results at the 5% level of significance.

Source of Information: Journal of Bangladesh Academy of Sciences, Vol.35, No.1, 19-41, 2011

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Within this research program, the study was carried out to evaluate the contamination and seasonal variation of toxic metals in the water and plant samples at different locations of Tejgaon industrial area. The specific aims of the research are to the determination of heavy metal toxicity indicators in different kinds of plants in different locations. The study area consisted of two distinct areas. The industries at Tejgaon are discharging their wastes and effluents in the natural systems in most cases without any treatment and thereby cause environmental pollution especially due to heavy metals and organic toxins. The hazardous wastes and effluents are generally discharged in low-lying areas, along the road sides or in the vicinity of the industrial installations. Besides, fertilizers, pesticides and the contaminated water (for irrigation purposes) are being randomly used in agricultural lands by the farmers. The investigations under this project showed that industrial effluents and wastes lead to significant pollution of water around Dhaka city. The important heavy metals discharged from industries in the study area are cadmium, lead, chromium, and in few cases iron and manganese. Trace metals as shown in the wet and dry season sampling considered above the maximum tolerable limit value (CPCB 1995). 100, 63, 42, 79, 58 and 95% water samples were in the group of in excess of tolerable level during dry season for Pb, Cu, Ni, Cd, Cr and Mn. Kalmi, water hyacinth, grass (in wet season) and Boro rice, cabbage (in dry season) accumulated the maximum concentration of Fe and Mn. In the rainy season the pollution was lower because of heavy rainfall, were flushed out through the canal into the adjoining vast flood zone. As the rainy season receded the soils (Chamon et al. 2009, Ullah et al. 1999) and water were enriched with the pollution load.

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