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Impacts of Low Flows on Heavy Metal Concentrations in Turag River Bangladesh

M. A. Rahman*
Faculty of Science, Military Institute of Science and Technology, BMA Campus, Chittagong

S. H. Rahman
Department of Environmental Sciences, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka-1342

M. A. Z. Chowdhury
Agrochemical and Environmental Research Division, IFRB, Savar, Dhaka-1349

Z. Fardous
Agrochemical and Environmental Research Division, IFRB, Savar, Dhaka-1349

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Water flow is a vital requirement of a river to secure ecological health status. We investigated the low flow of Turag River and its effect on the heavy metals concentration. Generally, the water of the river flowed very less from January to May. The reverse result was found from June to October. Keeping in mind this fact, eight different heavy metals were statistically analyzed. We observed that during low flow season five heavy metals surpass the standard limit for irrigation. Considering irrigation standard, the order of contamination level was: Mn > Cd > Pb > Fe > Cr > Ni > Zn > Cu in low flow season. Therefore, it is necessary to maintain moderate flow in the river system.

Keywords: Heavy metals concentration, High flow, Low flow, Turag river

Location: Turag river starting from Tongi Bridge following the river parallel to the Ashulia road

Start Date: 00-11-2016

End Date: 00-10-2017

Program Area: Risk Management in Agriculture

Commodity: Waste, Sediment

Objectives:

Keeping in mind this fact, eight different heavy metals: chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) were statistically analyzed for one year to find out the impact of low flow on heavy metals concentration. Viewing the impact and the deviation of concentration, easy and optimal solutions could be suggested for mitigating the pollution level of the subjected metals.

Methodology:

Study area This paper considered the study along a 4 km long strip of Turag river starting from Tongi Bridge following the river parallel to the Ashulia road. The average width of the river along this section is 20-25 meters, average depth during wet season is 4-5 meters and during dry season 2-4 meters. The samples were collected for one year which started from November, 2016 and terminates in October, 2017. Twenty eight samples were collected in each month from four sites (02 samples from each bank and 03 samples from the middle of the river). Therefore, total 336 (28×12) samples were collected. Plastic bottles of 500 ml were used for collecting samples. Prior to collection, the bottles were cleaned by detergent solution and then it was treated with 5% HNO₃ overnight and finally washed with de-ionized water followed by repeated washing with sample water so as to avoid contamination. All the samples were taken with grab sampling. After sampling, the bottles were kept air tight and labeled properly for identification. The samples were transferred to the laboratory of Atomic Energy Research Establishment (AERE), Dhaka, Bangladesh as soon as possible. Samples were properly labeled and preserve at -20 ⁰C to preclude the risk of hydrolysis and oxidation. Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) was used to find out the concentration of heavy metals in the water. Water Flow was provided by Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB). MATLAB is used to project the impact of low flow on metals concentration.

Source of Information: J. Environ. Sci. & Natural Resources, 10(2):177–182, 2017 ISSN 1999-7361

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The river with natural water flow can maintain a good healthy environment for its stakeholders. In this paper we measured the concentration of heavy metals (Cr, Cd, Pb, Cu, Mn, Fe, Zn, Ni) both in low and high flow seasons. Finally we observed that the low flow of the river has remarkable impact on Mn, Cr, Cd, Pb, and Fe concentrations. Due to reduction of river flow from January to May, the concentration of these heavy metals exceeded the standard limit up to thousand times. But during high flow from June to October, these heavy metals concentrations lies within the national standard. Considering drinking standard the order of contamination level of the heavy metals are: Cd > Cr > Pb > Mn > Ni > Fe > Zn > Cu in low flow season. For irrigation the order of contamination level of the heavy metals are: Mn > Cd > Pb > Fe > Cr > Ni > Zn > Cu. Generally river water is not directly used for drinking purpose, but due to tremendous demand for water and huge pressure on ground water, river could be an option in case of emergency. Moreover, this research concluded that Turag river water should not use for irrigation during low flow season. So, the government and the community should seriously ponder over taking effective actions in this regard.

Knowledge Management: Journal