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Status of Heavy Metal Pollution of Water and Fishes in Balu and Brahmaputra Rivers

MM Rahman
Department of Environmental Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh

MA Islam
Department of Environmental Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh

MB Khan
Department of Environmental Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The study was conducted to investigate the surface water quality and concentration of heavy metals in water and fish of the Balu and Brahmaputra rivers near to Demra in Dhaka city and BAU campus in Mymensingh respectively. Water samples were collected in distinct three sampling sites which were denoted as Station 1_,Station 2 and Station 3. In Balu and Brahmaputra river, analysis of physicochemical parameters like temperature, transparency, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solid (TDS), dissolved oxygen (DO), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and alkalinity and the concentration of heavy metals (Pb, Cr, Cd, Cu, Ni, Zn) both water and three fish (Mastacembelus armatus, Channa punctatus and Mystus vittatus) species were analyzed. The comparative study reported that some physicochemical parameters like TDS (704±8.54 mg/l); EC (1043±39.15 mg/l), BOD (22±3 mg/l), and alkalinity (311±6.56 mg/l) of Balu river water were found much higher than Brahmaputra river where as transparency (10±0.25 cm), and DO (1.7±0.36 mg/l) lower than Brahmaputra river water. Temperature and P^H were close to standard. The comparative study also revealed that the concentrations of heavy metals like Pb (0.032±0.003 mg/l), Cr (0.02±0.003 mg/l), Cd (0.02±0.005 mg/l), Ni (0.04±0.004 mg/l), Zn (0.08±0.005 mg/l) and Cu (0.01±0.002 mg/l) of Balu river water were higher than Brahmaputra River. In M. armatus, C. punctatus and M. vittatus, the concentration of heavy metals like Pb (0.85, 0.92 and 0.89 mg/kg), Cd (0.45, 0.48 and 0.51 mg/kg), Cr (0.72, 0.76 and 0.51 mg/kg), Cu (0.39, 0.38 and 0.35 mg/kg), Ni (0.95, 0.86 and 0.81 mg/kg) and Zn (1.17, 1.21 and 1.25 mg/kg) were noted in Balu river which were much higher than those of Brahmaputra river. Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in fish can increase with the increase of heavy metals in water if pollutants discharge simultaneously. The results suggested that the water in the Balu river was polluted and not suitable for human consumption and aquaculture. On the other hand water in the Brahmaputra river was usable for aquaculture and irrigation but gradually degrade its quality by growing industries and untreated waste from municipalities.

Keywords: Heavy metals, Mastacembelus armatus, Channa punctatus, Mystus vittatus

Location: Balu River and Brahmaputra River of Dhaka and Mymensingh district

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Risk Management in Agriculture

Commodity: Heavy metal

Objectives:

To identify and quantify the presence of heavy metals accumulation in water and fishes.

Methodology:

The study was conducted at Balu River and Brahmaputra River of Dhaka and Mymensingh district respectively. In case of Balu River study area was conducted near the Demra and in case of Brahmaputra River study area was conducted near the BAU Campus in Mymensingh Municipal area. Each study area divided into three sampling location and they were denoted as Station 1, Station 2, Station 3respectively. The sampling stations of Balu river: Demra (Station 1): located at latitude 23°43'57.92"N and longitude 90°29'46.37"E; Poschimgoan (Station 2): located at latitude 23°44'38.76"N and longitude 90°29'34.17"E; Dokkhin Para (Station 3): located at latitude 23°45'21.39"N and longitude 90°29'16.36"E. The sampling stations of Brahmaputra river: BAU (Station 1): located at latitude 24°43'41.84"N and longitude 90°26'19.86"E; Somvugonj (Station 2): located at latitude 24°44'51.08"N and longitude 90?25' 41.29" E; Town Hall (Station 3): located at latitude 24°45'57.75"N and longitude 90°24'26.10"E. Sample collection: Water samples were collected from the three stations (total 6 samples with 3 replications) of the Balu River and Brahmaputra River. Samples were collected in 250 ml plastic bottles at a distance of about 500 meters from each other. Prior to sample collection, all bottles were cleaned with dilute acid followed by distilled water. Before sampling, the bottles were rinsed again three times with the water to be sampled. 500 ml of water sample from each sampling point. Samples contained 5ml 1M Nitric acid solution for the analysis of heavy metals. HNO₃ solution was used to protect water samples from any fungal and other pathogenic Invasion. After collection the samples were sealed immediately to avoid exposure to air. To provide necessary information for each sample such as date of collection, location, time, etc. were recorded in the note book and each sample collected in a bottle was labeled separately with a unique identification number and then samples were placed in ice box. The water samples were then carefully carried to the laboratory of Environmental Science, BAU, Mymensingh. In the laboratory the water samples were filtered using fine filter paper. In the laboratory, the bottles were kept in a clean, cool and dry place. The samples for the analysis of heavy metals were carefully transported to the Laboratory of Soil Science Division, Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA), Mymensingh, Bangladesh. In this study three fish species were (Mastacembelus armatus, Channa punctatus and Mystus vittatus) collected from the Balu River and Brahmaputra River. The fish species was collected directly from fisherman. The samples were brought to the laboratory with ice box. Fish samples were kept in freeze for preservation until further analysis. Analysis of heavy metals in water sample: At first 100ml water sample was taken in a beaker and then 4 ml HNO₃ was added. After mixing, the solution was kept into hot plate for evaporation until the volume become 50ml. Then the 50 ml volume sample was kept in 100ml volumetric flask and it was made 100ml volume by adding distilled water. Then this concentrated sample was filtered and standard solution made for analyzing heavy metals (Pb, Cr, Cd, Cu, Ni and Zn) with the help of Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). Heavy metal analysis in fish sample: Before analysis fish samples were cleaned. Then a small portion of fish muscle was collected and weighted and dried. In drying procedure portion of muscle was kept in 100^°C oven overnight or in microwave oven. When dry, heat on hot plate until smoking ceases, and then placed dish in 525^°C furnace for minimum time necessary to obtain ash that was white and free from Carbon, normally 3- 5h, but ≤8h. Remove dish from furnace and let cool. Ash should be white and free Carbon. But ash may be contained with Carbon particles. To remove Carbon particles ash from sample was wetted with water and added with 0.5-3 ml HNO₃. Then dried on hot plate and returned dish to 525⁰C furnace 1-2h (Sultana et al., 2014). The sample was digested in open beakers on a hot plate. 10g of weighted sample was kept on in an open beaker and 10ml of freshly prepared nitric acid was added the beaker was covered with a watch glass till initial reaction subsided in about 1 hour. The beaker was placed on a hot plate and temperature gradually allowed to rise 160^ºC and the content boiled gently for about 2 hours to reduce the volume to between 2-5ml. The digest was allowed to cool and transferred to 50 ml volumetric flasks and made up to mark with water. The water used was distilled or deionized. The digested fish sample was kept in plastic bottles and preserved for laboratory analysis. Digested samples were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometer (Model- PG- 990, Made in England) method described by Association of Official Analytical Chemist (AOAC), 18^th edition. Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy was used for determination of heavy metals. The standard solutions of elements were prepared before every analysis. Samples were diluted in three different concentrations to obtain calibration curve for quantitative analysis. Statistical analysis: The collected data were compiled and tabulated in proper form and were subjected to statistical analysis. The Microsoft Office Excel software was used to present and interpret the collected data. The results of the study were presented in charts and tabular forms.

Source of Information: Progressive Agriculture 27 (4): 444-452, 2016

Article Link (Online Journal): DOI: https://doi.org/10.3329/pa.v27i4.32129

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

From the results of the present study, it is concluded that the water quality of the Balu river is unfavorable for all aquatic lives and human beings due to discharging untreated industrial effluents into the Balu river water without considering aquatic lives existing in the Balu river water bodies. On the other hand water quality of the Brahmaputra river is acceptable for aquaculture and irrigation but due continuous discharge of effluents it can be unfavorable for those purposes in near future. According to the findings the water quality of the Balu river and Brahmaputra river are not in acceptable form and heavy metal concentration in river water is increasing gradually and aquatic organisms like fishes are being contaminated. Proper management of water quality and fish species of the Balu river and Brahmaputra river is necessary for conserving their ecosystem.

Knowledge Management: Journal