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Status of Heavy Metals in Water and Sediments of Canals and Rivers Around the Dhaka City of Bangladesh and Their Subsequent Transfer to Crops

Md Jamal Uddin
Department of Soil Science, University of Barisal, Bangladesh

Zakia Parveen
Department of Soil, Water and Environment, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh

Md Faruque Hossain
American International University-Bangladesh, Bangladesh and International University, Kemal Ataturk Avenue, Banani, Dhaka 1213, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The study was carried out to observe the present status of heavy metals in water, sediment, soil and plant in the Tejgaon-Rampura-Shitalakhya water channel and the adjacent areas of the Dhaka city as well as to evaluate the heavy metal transfer in the water-soil-plant systems. Water, sediment, soil and plant samples were analyzed to know about lead, cadmium, copper and zinc contents. The findings show that heavy metal concentrations in water, sediment, soil and plant in the study area had the trend: Tejgaon Khal>Rampura canal>Shitalakhya river. Different water quality parameters such as pH, DO, BOD, COD, TDS, and NH3 shows that most of the values are higher than the DoE (Bangladesh) recommended irrigation water standards. The heavy metal concentrations in water varies and are well below the recommended values except for Cd and the trend follow the order Pb>Cd>Zn>Cu. The concentrations of the investigated heavy metals in sediment samples are found higher than the USEPA recommended sediment standards and follow the trend Zn>Cu>Pb>Cd. Similar trends are observed for the heavy metals in soil. The accumulation of heavy metals in plants followed the trend Zn>Pb>Cu>Cd in the Tejgaon and Rampura area while the trend are Zn>Cu>Pb>Cd in plants from Shitalakhya. In most of the cases the results of the tested parameters shows significant variations (at 1% level) from Tejgaon river samples with others.

Keywords: Wastewater, Heavy metals, Soil, Plant, Sediment

Location: Tejgaon-Rampura-Shitalakhya water channel and the adjacent areas of the Dhaka city, Bangladesh

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Crop-Soil-Water Management

Commodity: Sediment, Heavy metal in soil, Heavy metal in water

Objectives:

This research objective is to identify the level of Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd in water, sediment, soils and vegetables from canal of Tejgaon Khal-Rampura Canal-Shitalakhya River.

Methodology:

To complete the comprehensive study of the proposed research, the study area was selected from Tejgaon-Rampura canal to Shitalakhya River–a span of 30km. The whole area was divided into three small parts viz., Tejgaon Khal (T), Rampura Khal-Balu River (R) and Shitalakhya River (S) closed to Balu River. Ten points from each part were selected and water, sediment, soil and plant samples were collected from each point. Water samples were collected by using 500ml plastic bottles; pH and DO were tested instantly. Two sets of water samples were collected from each point: one set was used to determine BOD and COD and the other set was preserved with 2-3 drops of concentrated HCl in a refrigerator for further analysis. The collected sediment samples were dried appropriately and then passed through a 0.5mm sieve. The sieved samples were stored in plastic pots for chemical analysis. The soil samples were collected from the surface 0-15cm depth, samples were air-dried and visible roots and debris were removed and discarded and preserved as described by Imamul Huq et al.10 Plant samples were collected from the respective field from where the soil samples were collected. The plant samples were washed first with tap water and then again with deionized distilled water. The fresh weights of collected samples were taken. For chemical analysis, the samples were first air-dried and then oven-dried at 80ºC±5ºC for 48hours and then dry weight of the plant samples were taken. The samples were ground with an electrical grinder and passed through a 0.2mm sieve. Various chemical and Physico-chemical properties of the water, sediment, soil and plant samples were analyzed in the laboratory as described by Imamul Huq and Alam.10 Results were calculated on oven-dry basis. The data are subjected t statistical analysis for pair test using Minitab-16 software.

Source of Information: Adv Plants Agric Res. 2016;5(4):593?601.

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Different water quality parameters like pH, Dissolved oxygen (DO), Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Ammonia-N, along with some heavy metals Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu), Lead (Pb) and Cadmium (Cd) were analyzed and the results are given. Color and odor are important characteristics of water for physical characterization and it was observed from the study that the color of the water of Tejgaon Khal and Rampura Canal was black or dark black. The pH values of collected water sample ranges from 6.62 to 7.46, which is slightly acidic to slightly alkaline in nature and it increased with increasing distance towards the Tejgaon Khal to Shitalakhya River. The pH of Shitalakhya River and Rampura Khal showed significant (at 5% level) difference with Tejgaon Khal. It might be due to higher amount of industrial effluent discharge in Tejgaon Khal. From the above discussion, an elevated level of heavy metal was found in wastewater collected from the study area. The concentration of Cd in wastewater was found higher than the recommended irrigation standards which may cause serious impacts on soil-plant system. Although the concentrations of Zn, Cu and Pb were low, however the heavy metal contamination of Tejgaon Khal was high than the Shitalakhya river. DO content of the water collected from Tejgaon Khal was only 0.29mgL-1. The value is several times lower than the permissible limit. Meanwhile, the BOD and COD of the tested water were found higher than the DoE recommended irrigation water standards. The heavy metal concentration in the sediments was found in the order Zn>Cu>Pb>Cd. The trend of contamination in the three different riches are Tejgaon Khal>Rampura Canal>Shitalakhya River. The heavy metal concentration in soil followed the similar trend like that of sediment. Plant samples collected insitu revealed that the contaminants present in the environment do enter into them. The accumulation of heavy metals followed the trend Zn>Pb>Cu>Cd in Tejgaon and Rampura while the trend of accumulation in plants from Shitalakhya was Zn>Cu>Pb>Cd. The present study reveals the fact that the effluents discharged from the industries around the study area are not treated before these are released to the environment. The relevant authority needs to take care.

Knowledge Management: Journal