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Assessment of Heavy Metal Content in Water, Sediment and Fishes of the Meghna River, Bangladesh

Flura
Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute, Riverine Station, Chandpur-3602.

Mohammad Ashraful Alam
Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute, Riverine Station, Chandpur-3602.

Akhery Nima
Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute, Riverine Station, Chandpur-3602.

Mohosena Begum Tanu
Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute, Riverine Station, Chandpur-3602.

Md. Robiul Awal Hossain
Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute, Riverine Station, Chandpur-3602.

Masud Hossain Khan
Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute, Riverine Station, Chandpur-3602.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The present study was conducted to investigate the contamination of water, sediments, and fish tissues with heavy metals in three selected sampling stations of the river Meghna, Bangladesh from January 2014 to December 2014. Environmental pollution is a worldwide problem, heavy metals belonging to the most important pollutants. The progress of industries has led to increased emission of pollutants into ecosystems. Metals tend to accumulate in water and move up through the food chain. So, a study to ascertain the level of heavy metals in environment and determine potentially hazardous levels for human is necessary. In this investigation, concentration of seven heavy metals Zinc (Zn), Chromium (Cr), Cadmium (Cd), Lead (Pb), Iron (Fe), Copper (Cu), and Manganese (Mn) in locally available most-consumed fishes, water and sediments have been determined. The concentration of Iron (Fe) in water was found higher in Chandpur 68.3 mg/L compared to Bhoirob 60.4 mg/L and Meghna ghat 45.4 mg/L. The concentration of Iron (Fe) in sediment was found higher in Bhoirob 38583.3 mg/kg when compared with Chandpur and meghna ghat. The highest concentration of Iron (Fe) was found in fishes of Chandpur 24.1 mg/kg. The abundance of total metals in water varied in the decreasing order of Fe>Cr>Mn>Zn>Pb>Cu>Cd in sediment Fe>Zn>Mn>Cr>Cu>Pb>Cd and in case of fishes Fe>Zn>Mn>Cu>Cr>Cd>Pb. At present water, sediments and fishes of the river Meghna are safe for human consumption, but the continuous sewage disposal may create problems in the future.

Keywords: Assessment, Heavy metals, Meghna river, Pollution.

Location: Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute, Riverine Station, Chandpur

Start Date: 00-01-2014

End Date: 00-12-2014

Program Area: Risk Management in Agriculture

Commodity: Contamination

Objectives:

To investigate some of the important heavy metals contents such as Iron (Fe), Copper (Cu), Chromium (Cr), Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), Manganese (Mn) and Zinc (Zn) of the Meghna river.

Methodology:

The study was carried out from Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute, Riverine Station, Chandpur during January, 2014 to December, 2014 covering the area of Chandpur sadar (Chandpur), Meghna ghat (Narayangonj) and Bhoirob (Kishorgonj). The samples viz. water, sediment, and fish samples were collected from the selected site and processed for analysis. The heavy metal concentration was analyzed following Atomic Absorption Method (APHA 1995).

Water: The water samples were collected from the sub-surface level (15 cm below) of the aforesaid sampling points with the plastic bottles. Sample containers were thoroughly cleaned with metal free non-ionic detergent solution, rinsed with tap water, soaked in acid (glass material in 1:1 HNO₃ and plastic materials in 11 jars (HCl) and then again rinsed with metal free water. Desirable soaking time was 24 hours at 70⁰C. The freshly collected samples were filtered quickly through Millipore Filtration Assembly (MFA) using 0.45 µm membrane filter. The MFA was washed in acid solution of 1:1 HNO₃. The filtrate was then acidified with conc. HNO₃ to make pH of <2. The colourless sample was analyzed directly. Other samples were digested with conc. HNO₃for analysis. Ten mL of well mixed, acidified sample was taken in a beaker; five mL of conc. HNO₃ was added to it and strongly boiled after adding boiling chips on hot plate till the volume comes to about Ten mL. Addition of HNO₃ and boiling was repeated till solution becomes light coloured. The volume was then made to desired level after cooling for analysis by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (Shimadzu, AAS-6800).

Sediment: Sediment samples were collected using Ekman dredge and kept in fresh plastic packets. The samples were shade dried and passed through 80µm mesh sieve after grinding. From the sediment samples 1g portion was taken in a digestion tube and 17 mL Triacid mixture (14mL HNO_3: 2mL HClO_3: 1mL H₂SO₄) was added Page et al. (1982). The content was initially heated strongly and then at 150⁰C for 2 hours. After digestion (colourless or faint colour content) material was passed through Whatman 42 filter paper, washed with 2% HNO₃ solution and made to 50 mL volume. Thereafter, the sample was analyzed by AAS.

Fish tissue: Standard size fresh Hilsa (Tenualosa illisha), Bele (Glossogobius giuris), Guchi baim (Mastacembelus pancalus), Chingri (Macrobrachium lamarrei), Pabda (Ompok pabda), Topossi (Polynemus paradiseus), Poa (Otolithoides rama) etc. were collected depending on local abundance from each sampling site on scheduled sampling day. Tissue was taken out from the fish in fresh condition. For taking out the muscle tissue, the skin was removed below the dorsal fin and approximately 50g flesh was drawn out from both sides. The collected tissue was immediately kept in ice in a thermos to maintain temperature of about -4⁰C. From collected tissue 5 g sample was taken out and 25.5 mL of Triacid mixture (21 mL HNO₃: 3 mL HClO₄: 1.5 mL H₂SO₄) was added. The content was mixed and left over night. Sample was then digested, initially at low temperature and later at 150⁰C for 2 hours. The completion of digestion was indicated by light coloured material. The brown fumes also cease to exist at completion of digestion. The content was filtered through Whatman 42 filter paper, washed with 2% HNO₃ and volume made to 25 mL in polypropylene bottles. Then the sample was analyzed by AAS.

Source of Information: BANGLADESH RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS JOURNAL, Volume: 11, Issue: 4, Page: 301-308, September - December 2015, ISSN: 1998-2003,

Article Link (Online Journal): http://www.bdresearchpublications.com/admin/journal/upload/1410096/1410096.pdf

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The concentration of Iron (Fe) in sediment was found higher in Bhoirob 38583.3 mg/kg when compared with Chandpur and meghna ghat. The highest concentration of Iron (Fe) was found in fishes of Chandpur 24.1 mg/kg. In the study, water, sediments and fishes of the river Meghna are safe for human consumption, but the continuous sewage disposal may create problems in the future. This study will help in understanding the amount of toxic compounds (heavy metals) being received in the river and its biological magnification in animals, particularly those at the lower level of food chain.

Knowledge Management: Journal