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Impact of Tannery Effluents on the Aquatic Environment of the Buriganga River in Dhaka, Bangladesh

Mohammad Asaduzzaman*
Department of Applied Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Imtiaj Hasan*
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, Bangladesh

Sultana Rajia
Department of Natural Science, Varendra University, Rajshahi, Bangladesh

Nazneen Khan
WorldFish Center, Bangladesh and South Asia Office, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Kazi Ahmed Kabir
WorldFish Center, Bangladesh and South Asia Office, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

This study presents an overview of the existence and effects of six heavy metals, chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), manganese (Mn), and aluminum (Al), in tannery effluents released to the Buriganga River in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The pollutants were found in three different sources, such as effluents from tanneries, contaminated river water and three species of fish—climbing perch (Anabas testudineus), spotted snakehead (Channa punctata), and Black tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) caught from the river. Tannery effluents, water, and fish samples were collected from three different factories, five sample stations, and three different harvesting points, respectively. Effluents from all three factories contained significant amounts of heavy metals, especially Cr (374.19 ppm in average), whereas lesser amounts were found in the tissues of the three fish species studied. The trends in tissue elemental concentrations of fish were Cr > Pb >Al>Hg>Mn>Cd.In most cases(Cr, Cd, Mn), heavy metal concentrations were found to be greater in climbing perch than in Black tilapia and spotted snakehead. Although the river water contained high concentrations of harmful heavy metals, the fish species under study had concentrations well below the permissible Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization levels for those metals and seemed to be safe for human consumption.

Keywords: Heavy metals, Toxicity, Tannery effluents, Water pollution, Fish

Location: Buriganga River in Dhaka, Bangladesh

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Risk Management in Agriculture

Commodity: Efluent

Objectives:

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the extent of heavy metal (Cr, Pb, Cd, Hg, Mn, and Al) pollution in water and fish species in the Buriganga River.

Methodology:

Study area: The study area was near the Buriganga River located in Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh. It is atide-influenced river far away (200 km) from the sea with low current and water flow in both directions. Tannery effluents from three factories, contaminated water samples from five different sampling stations, and fish from three harvesting points were collected. The study was conducted through a 1-year period in 2010. Collection of leather effluent, contaminated water, and fish samples: The points for water sample collection were the drainage system of three factories (effluents), releasing point (RP), where the mixture of tannery effluents from different factories is released into a small canal that meets the Buriganga River and the Northwest point (NWP) and Southeast point (SEP), which are at the junction points of the effluent-releasing canal and the river. The other two different locations are500 m northwest of the junction point (500 NWP)and 500 m southeast of the junction point (500 SEP).Fish samples were collected from the fishermen in three popular harvesting points near the junction point and toward 500 SEP. All the samples were collected in four rounds (March, June, September, and December) in 2010. Standard methods were used for collection and analysis of effluents and fish samples (Andreji et al., 2005; APHA, 1998; Jain and Bhatia, 1987). Method of sample collection:Two liters of water samples were collected using 1-L capacity white polyethylene plastic bottles prewashed with 10% nitric acid (HNO3) and thoroughly rinsed with deionized water. The samples were stored in a refrigerator at 4C. The fish samples were caught by fishing nets, wrapped in polyethylene bags, and transported to the laboratory on the same day. After dissecting with sterilized instruments, muscle samples were obtained from the left side of the body in the dorsal area, without skin or bones. After collection, the tissue samples were stored at 2⁰C. Analysis of water samples: Water samples (100 ml) were taken, filtered through Whatman 42 filter paper, and then acidified with5 ml concentrated HNO3 to decrease the pH to 2.0 and to remove the organic compounds. The samples weredigestedfor30min,placedin100-ml volumetric flasks, and brought to volume with double-distilled water. Digested samples were collected in plastic containers for analysis. Analysis of fish samples: Fish were dried by pressing gently with tissue papers, brought to room temperature, washed thoroughly with tap water, and finally with double-distilled water. These fish samples were then dried in sunlight until reaching a constant weight, and the muscle part was taken as samples. One gram of dried tissue samples (in three replications) were placed into a muffle furnace and heated at 100, 200, 300, and 400 C for 1 h and at 500C for 6 h. The samples were filtered through Whatman 42 filter paper, acidified by a solution of HNO3:H2O in the ratio of 2:1, and heated again at 500C to undergo complete combustion. The samples were placed in 100-ml volumetric flasks, brought up to volume with double-distilled water, and collected in plastic containers. All the collected samples were analyzed with an AA240 FS-Varian atomic absorption spectrophotometer (Palo Alto, California, USA). Two sample blanks were analyzed together with each sample batch. Concentrations of metals in blanks were below detection limits (0.01 ppm) in all analyses. Statistical analysis: The experimental results are presented as mean+SD. Differences in means were evaluated by a two-tailed Student’s t-test, with the values of p<0.05considered to be statistically significant (Gomez and Gomez, 1984).

Source of Information: Toxicology and Industrial Health 2016, Vol. 32(6) 1106–1113

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

In summary, heavy metal concentrations observed in this study are within the maximum permissible levels according to the codes of FAO and WHO (FAO,1983; WHO, 1973). The data indicate that despite high levels of heavy metals in river water levels in fish appear to be within safe limits; hence, consumption of fish caught from these contaminated areas should have no toxicological effect on human health as part of a normal diet. But this situation could change in the future if preventive measures are not taken. For example, vegetable tannins from the barks of several plants might be utilized as an alternative to processes that result in Cr pollution. It is hoped that the data obtained will be helpful in designing management plans and tannery pollution abatement strategies at the national level.

Knowledge Management: Journal