Agricultural Research Management Information System

Home
Research Summary
Search
About Us
- ARMIS
- Brochure
Contact Us
Report
User Request
Data Input
Help
- Operation Manual
  - PDF
  - Video
- Program Area & Commodity
We have reached 37600 number of research entries at this moment.

- Logout

Research Detail

Home
Research
Detail

Eco-environmental Studies of Industrial Effluents and Impact on the Surrounding Environment

Shahrear Ahmad*
Department of Botany, Jagannath University, Dhaka-1100, Bangladesh

Md. Monirul Islam
Department of Botany, Jagannath University, Dhaka-1100, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The study was carried out to investigate the impact of industrial effluents on the surrounding environment of the Dhaka Export Processing Zone (DEPZ). The industrial effluents were collected from different outlets found in the DEPZ area. Other samples such as water, soil and plant samples (Oryza sativa) with roots, shoots, grains and husks were collected from the fields adjacent to the DEPZ area. Collected industrial effluents samples were analyzed for physiochemical characteristics like colour, pH, TDS, DO, BOD, COD, EC, turbidity, and salinity. All types of collected samples were analyzed for Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn by using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The concentration of heavy metals observed in the industrial effluents were in the range of Cd (0.0025 ppm to 0.0094 ppm), Cr (0.42 ppm to2.15ppm), Cu (0.56ppm to 4.55ppm), Ni (0.05ppm to 0.43ppm), Pb (0.04 ppm to 0.32 ppm) and Zn (1.87 ppm to 5.54 ppm). In water samples it ranges Cd (0.0019 ppm to 0.0075 ppm), Cr (0.372 ppm to 0.803 ppm), Cu (0.153 ppm to 0.535 ppm), Ni (0.019 ppm to 0.082 ppm), Pb (BDL to 0.31 ppm) and Zn (0.21 ppm to 0.59 ppm). This study showed that most of the observed physiochemical parameters of the collected samples were higher than the permissible limits. The analysis of the collected samples showed that the heavy metals contributed significantly towards the degradation of the surrounding biotic environment, and is directly attributable to the unbecoming industrial activities occurring nearby.

Keywords: Industrial effluents, Heavy metals, Soil, Plant, Environment.

Location: Dhaka Export Processing Zone (DEPZ).

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Risk Management in Agriculture

Commodity: Efluent

Objectives:

As a result, excessive accumulation of trace elements in agricultural soils through wastewater irrigation may not only result in soil contamination but also affect food quality and safety (Sharma and Raju, 2013). This research will provide a clear idea about the water quality of the DEPZ and its adjacent area, and will help to establish the basis for future research and monitoring activities that aid in preventing water pollution around the DEPZ area. In addition, the data gathered in this study will work towards creating better effluent management strategies for effective management in the treatment of DEPZ discharges in terms of toxicity, and heavy metal concentrations.

Methodology:

Study Area The DEPZ is located at about 35 km south-east of Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh. This area belongs to Dhamsona Union under Savar Upazila of Dhaka District. The major geomorphic units of the area are: the highlands, the lowlands or floodplains, depressions, marshes, and abandoned channels. Soil found in these tracts from Madhupur Clay Formation, generally reddish brown in colour, contains pre-existing paleosol materials. The Bansi-Daleshwari and Turag River comprise the drainage network of the area Bansi on the west, and Turag River on the east.

Sampling The study area was divided into several selected points within the DEPZ industrial outlets where industrial effluent is available in flowing conditions. The industrial effluents samples were collected for physiochemical and heavy metal analysis from the selected points of DEPZ found in the table below.

Sample collection and preparation Effluents were collected from 7 different points of main drainage inside the DEPZ industrial area. Geographic locations of sampling points were confirmed by GPS (Model: Garmin GPSMAP 76CSx). High-density PVC bottles were used for sample collection and preservation. Each bottle was cleaned thoroughly by ringing each through with dilute HNO3, followed by washing with distilled water. The bottles were kept air tight and labelled properly for identification.

Laboratory analysis During the study, different parameters of effluent samples were analyzed. In this study, different physiochemical parameters and various heavy metals were analyzed using the appropriate instruments necessary. Heavy metals like Chromium (Cr), Lead (Pb), Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn) and Nickel (Ni) in the collected samples were analyzed by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer.

Source of Information: Jagannath University Journal of Life and Earth Sciences, 4(1): 91 – 102, 2018 ISSN 2414-1402

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Overall, studies have shown that all the physicochemical and heavy metal parameters of collected water samples (pH, EC, TDS, DO, COD, BOD, Pb, Co, Ni, and Cu) surpassed the permissible limits. The results suggest that the effluents being discharged into the local streams have considerable negative effects on the water quality in the receiving streams. Usage of the stream for agricultural purposes such as irrigation and aquaculture will have adverse effects on crop and animal health, as well as the general ecological environment. Although the values in some cases were lower than the maximum allowable limits, the continued discharge of untreated effluents in the stream may result in the accumulation of damaging contaminants. Heavy metals parameters (Pb, Co, Cu, Ni and Zn) from all the collected samples surpassed the permissible limits. If the contaminated water used for agricultural purposes continues, the hazardous elements will accumulate within the plants or cereals, and will also affect aquatic animals like fish. If people receive these contaminated cereals or fish, they can potentially suffer from carcinogenic diseases. Thus the present work concludes that the effluents from the industries cause pollution problems in the surrounding environment. In such conditions only feasible options that could be followed are to control water contamination, legislative measures must be taken, legally binding the individual industries, and forbidding the discharge of untreated or poorly treated industrial effluents. Central ETP of DEPZ should be proper used to protect the environment. Wastewater discharged from DEPZ could be recycled for the remediation of pollution in a sustainable and eco-specific way. Moreover, different remediation measures should be taken quickly to remove excising metal contamination.

Knowledge Management: Journal