Heavy Metals Water Pollution

The present study deals with quantification of accumulated toxic heavy metals in sediments of Mithi River of Mumbai. The study was performed at three different sampling locations along the flow of Mithi River for two years from 2009-12. The different heavy metals studied were Al, As, Cd, Cr, Hg, Ni, Pb, Sr and Mn. The results of our study indicate that the concentration level of these toxic heavy metals for the two assessment years increases by the factor of 1.2-5.8 µg/g. The result is a clear indication of day by day increasing pollution level of the Mithi River, which is creating negative environmental impact on biological life of the river. The results emphasises the need of regular scientific monitoring of different pollutants adversely affecting the environment and to reframe the pollution control strategies already in existence.

The area of study selected in the present investigation was Kasardi River which receives heavy discharge of waste effluent from the nearby Taloja industrial belt which is one of the fastest developing industrial belt of Mumbai. The study was performed to investigate the concentration of toxic heavy metals like chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), lead (Pb) and iron (Fe) in river. It was observed that concentration of most of these heavy metals were much higher than the maximum permissible limits. These heavy metals have created threat to the aquatic life and through biomagnifications may enter the food chain thereby affecting the human beings as well. The research work was extended further to study the physico-chemical properties like temperature, pH, solid content, chloride, oil / grease content, BOD and COD values of the river water. The authors point out that as India moves towards stricter regulation of industrial effluents to control water pollution, there is a need to implement common objectives, compatible policies and programmes for improvement in the industrial waste water treatment methods.

The wetland of Thane Creek, located at Thane, Mumbai, India, has attracted much attention of environmental biologists over the last few decades, as this creek has been subjected to a lot of pollution from the Asia's biggest Thane–Belapur industrial complex located at the south of Mumbai harbour along the west coast of India. This paper advocates ecological studies with special reference to the pollution due to heavy metals in the sediments along the Thane Creek area. The sediment samples were analysed for their heavy metal contents. These heavy metals have a marked effect on the aquatic flora and fauna which through biomagnification enter the food chain and ultimately affect the human beings as well. The experimental data on heavy metal content in sediment samples collected from Thane Creek points out to the need of regular monitoring of water resources and further improvement in the industrial waste treatment methods.

—The rising demand of energy in the Philippines paved way for the proliferation of different power sources, a more dependable energy source which is coal – based thermal power plant. The disposal of coal combustion products in ponds and landfills is a great concern because of its leachability. It can become a problem when elements from the ash are leached contaminating groundwater sources. The main goal of this research is to determine the concentration of heavy metals in the groundwater sources leached from coal combustion products and the to assess the physico-chemical parameters of water quality. Standard methods were employed in collection and determination of the pH, color, alkalinity, odor and temperature and the heavy metals; As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Mn, and Hg. Mn was found to have the highest concentration while Hg has the least concentration. The concentrations of heavy metals follow the trend Hg < Cd < Cu = Pb< Cr < As <Mn. Concentrations of heavy metals were detected but not excessive enough to be over the permissible limit set in the Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water thus making the groundwater potable with regards to the measured parameters in the study.

Global population, which has been estimated by United Nations to hit 9.8 Billion by the middle of this century and the corresponding demand for clean, affordable and portable water, which is not readily available, especially for developing countries and even developed ones, has become a course for concern. It is estimated that 1.2 billion people lack access to clean drinking water and about 2.2 million people die annually, mostly of children under five due to consumption of unsafe water. The use of inorganic chemicals in treating water is fast becoming problematic, as it is associated with different deteriorating human health condition and pollution of water bodies. Simple to complex methods are involved in this, but the general procedure involves, collection of plant seeds, drying, grinding/extraction of active compounds and its application in water sample.

The paper deals with monitoring of pollution arising due to textile based industries located along the Dombivali industrial belt of Mumbai, India. The study was carried for the period of one year from June, 2012 to May, 2013 to study the level of toxic heavy metals and the physico-chemical properties of waste water effluents discharged from the above industries. The concentration level of majority of toxic heavy metals like Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn were reported to be maximum of 45.58, 2.00, 2.06 and 9.20 ppm respectively in the month of April, while Cr and Fe concentration levels were found to be 2.50 and 55.30 ppm in the month of March. The effluent samples collected in the month of July was reported to show high BOD content of 564 ppm, while COD content was maximum of 2436 ppm in the month of October. The effluent samples collected in the month of January was having very low DO content of 3.21 ppm and high cyanide content of 0.09 ppm. The alkalinity, hardness and chloride content were maximum of 2158, 198 and 2765 ppm respectively in the effluent samples collected in the month of February. The effluents were having high total solid content of 8269 ppm during the month of April, while the salinity and phosphate contents were reported high of 5.64 and 125.70 ppm during the month of May. It was observed that the concentration level of majority of toxic heavy metals and the values of various physico-chemical parameters were above the tolerable limit set for inland surface water. The present experimental data on environmental risk assessment studies due to textile industries may be regarded as an aid towards a better understanding of the problem arising due to such industries. There is a need to convey the message that prevention of adverse health effects and promotion of health are profitable investments for employers and employees as a support to a sustainable development of economics.

The struggle in Plachimada, Kerala, against Coca-Cola not only raises issues of mindless destruction of groundwater by a multinational company, but also exposes the gross inadequacies in the laws of governance and the rights to water. It also exposes the inability of political democracy, as we know it, to address weaknesses in law and governance. The state government meekly surrendered the opportunity that the struggle bestowed at the altar of the judiciary, rather than take advantage of it for bold political decision-making. The Plachimada struggle calls for the recovery of the commons by communities.

This study presents the impact of surface and ground water quality on the environment in Ebocha-Obrikom oil and gas producing area of Rivers State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study determine the quality of surface and ground water in the study area as compared with national and international standards for drinking water and assess the quality of borehole and well water in the study area, This study adopted both field and laboratory experimental analysis of physical and chemical parameters. The water samples were analysed for Physico-chemical parameters using standard procedures. Physico-chemical parameters analysed for were pH, Zinc. The results show that ground water contained high amounts of turbidity (21.5NTU, 23.00NTU and 19.0NTU in the borehole water and well water), iron (5.3mg/l in the ground water and 6.98mg/l in the borehole water), biological oxygen demand (3.80mg/l in the surface water) and pH of all water samples 1 were acidic in the study area. These results show that ground waters including borehole; well waters and surface water of the study area had acquired reasonable levels of pollution. Apart from these specific cases, other values were found to be lower or above and corresponded to the approved maximum permissible level (i.e. maximum permissible limits for drinking water set by NAFDAC and WHO). Pearson correlation coefficient also indicated that there was a significant correlation among the studied physico-chemical parameters in both surface and ground water. The ground waters therefore, were more impacted upon by chemical parameters than surface water. This study, recommends for the continuous monitoring of water quality in the oil producing areas to protect man and the environment. Also, there is need for bio-physico-chemical assessment extension to other new areas of the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.

This study is a part of the third axis of the « ETIAGE » project, a four year collaboration (2010-2014) between the Lyonnaise des Eaux, the Communauté Urbaine de Bordeaux (CUB), AEAG, and FEDER, Aquitaine region with the University of Bordeaux, CNRS and IRSTEA. The axis 3 objectives were to document the trace metal inputs from the CUB watershed into the waters of the Garonne section of the Gironde estuary. The Gironde Estuary is one of the largest macrotidal and highly turbid estuaries in Western Europe characterized by the presence of a strong maximum turbidity zone (MTZ) with high suspended particulate matter (SPM) concentrations (>1 g.L-1 in surface water) transporting estuarine particles and potentially hazardous trace elements. This study has focused on the trace metal inputs from the two main wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) of the CUB. The objective of this research was therefore to study in detail the daily concentrations, fluxes, and dynamics of 8 EU priority contaminants Cr, Cu, Cr, Hg, Ni, Pb Zn, As, and the emerging contaminant Ag from the WWTPs in the CUB. The calculated removal rates are significant, around 80 % for the majority of metals, mainly as a result of the decantation phase. Despite this high removal efficiency, during periods of heavy rainstorms and low river discharges, the urban metal inputs via the WWTPs may still significantly increase metal concentrations and fluxes in the fluvial Gironde Estuary impacting water quality. In addition, the WWTP fluxes and concentrations of Ag exceeded common background concentrations in the Gironde fluvial estuary, making it an interesting urban tracer. The treatment within the WWTPs concentrates the trace metals in the sludge, yet, metal concentrations remained below legal norms for agricultural use. However, the analysis of WWTP sludge revealed that trace element concentrations are 15 (Ag) and 30 (Cu) times higher than natural background concentrations with high enrichment of Hg, Ag, Cr, Cu and Zn with over 70 % of Cd, Ag, Pb, Cu, and Zn being potentially bioavailable. Therefore, with increasing urban pressure on environmental quality, these results support the need for the development of efficient water quality monitoring tools.
Keywords : Coastal pollution, estuary metal contamination, urban trace elements, fluxes, wastewater, Gironde Estuary

The present study performed to understand the toxicity level of heavy metals like Zn+2, Ni+2, Cu+2, Cr+6, Fe+3, which are present in the industrial effluents released from fine chemical industries situated at Gove industrial belt, Bhiwandi, Maharashtra. The concentration level of Zn2+ in the present study was found to be 26.35 ppm which was above the limits of 5.0 ppm set by CPCB in industrial waste water discharge. Such high Zn2+ level may result in stomach cramps, nausea and vomiting. The average concentration of Pb2+ (0.99 ppm) in the present study was above the CPCB limits of 0.10 ppm. Such high level of Pb2+ might result in threat to young children and pregnant women resulting in miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth and low birth weight. The average concentration of Ni2+ (7.24 ppm) was very much above the maximum tolerable CPCB limits of 3.00 ppm, which might result in contact dermatitis among the local peoples. The concentration of Cu2+ (3.55 ppm) as reported in the present study was marginally above the limits of 3.00 ppm set by CPCB for the safe discharge of industrial effluents. It is feared that short term exposure Cu2+ may result in gastrointestinal distress, while the long term exposure may result in liver or kidney damage. From the results of the present study, it is feared that high level of toxic heavy metals in industrial waste water coupled with high level of various physico-chemical parameter like pH, Electrical Conductivity (EC), Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Chemical of Oxygen Demand (COD), Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Total Hardness, PO42-, and Ca2+ may possess threat to the human health among the local populations. From the results it can be concluded that due to rapid industrialization at Gove industrial area, there is rapid increase in the water pollution and the efforts are required to be taken to control the discharge of the pollutants into the aquatic ecosystems.

Surface Fresh water bodies have a huge impact on human development. They not only percolate into and mingle with subterranean water, they flow to the oceans and seas. Fresh water is the life line for organisms to exist well. Sadly, these are in terrible shape resulting from Anthropogenic activities. This paper, focusing on Zambia as a case study demonstrates what is happening and the potential effects into the future. The writer urges the world to awaken to the crisis.

Heavy metal pollution is a major environmental problem, especially around highways with high traffic density.
This study investigates the levels of Pb, Cd, Zn and Cu in roadside soils of Wukari section of the Wukari-Jalingo
highway, Taraba state, Nigeria. Samples were randomly collected and analyzed using standard methods. The
mean concentrations (μg/g) of Pb, Cd, Zn and Cu from all sample sites ranged: 89.6-247.0, 0.15-5.3, 26.8-163.0
and 7.1-61.2 respectively. The extent of the heavy metals contamination was assessed, as analytical data were
subjected to pollution calculation methods. The contamination factors (CF) reveal extreme contamination of the
sites and an increasing trend in the heavy metals concentrations was observed in sites with more human
activities. The pollution load index (PLI) showed that the sites are severely polluted as the PLI of the metals from
each sample site exceeded the PLI of the background (control) sample (0.7). Spearman’s rank correlation
analysis showed clear correlations (p<0.001) amongst the metals suggesting a common source. It can be
concluded that the study sites pollution is mostly due to automobile emissions. This study provides awareness
for residents to avoid activities such as farming, trading etc very close to the highway due to exposures to these
toxic metals.

The present study highlight the toxicity levels of different heavy metals in aquatic environment of one of the most polluted river of Mumbai-the Mithi River. Although the river has attracted tremendous attention after 26/7 flood in Mumbai, the pollution level of the river has remained neglected issue. The present study was performed for two assessment years 2009-10 and 2010-11 at three different sampling stations namely Airport, CST Kalina and BKC Taximen's Colony along the flow of Mithi River. The results of present investigation indicates that the concentration levels of most of the heavy metals like Al, As, Cd, Cr, Hg, Ni, Pb, Sr and Mn obtained during the assessment year 2010-11 was higher than that obtained during 2009-10 by the factor of 1.4 to 5.7 µg/L. The environmental impact of these toxic heavy metals is discussed. The results point out the need of rational planning of pollution control strategies, so as to keep check on release of toxic heavy metals in the river. It is expected that the present study will be useful for rational planning of pollution control strategies and their prioritisation; to evaluate effectiveness of pollution control measures already is existence and to assess the nature and extent of pollution control needed.

The struggle in Plachimada, Kerala, against Coca-Cola not only raises issues of mindless destruction of groundwater by a multinational company, but also exposes the gross inadequacies in the laws of governance and the rights to water. It also exposes the inability of political democracy, as we know it, to address weaknesses in law and governance. The state government meekly surrendered the opportunity that the struggle bestowed at the altar of the judiciary, rather than take advantage of it for bold political decision-making. The Plachimada struggle calls for the recovery of the commons by communities.

Shipbreaking activities play a duel role like increase the development indicators along with creating occupational health hazards and environmental pollution in and around adjacent area. The study carried out to assess the heavy metals concentration level in sediments and its impact on macro- benthic organisms of ship breaking area. The study areas were separated into ‘shipbreaking zone’ and ‘reference site’ for comparative analysis. Lab experiment explored that heavy metals were found in order of Fe>Pb>Cr>Mn>Zn>Ni>Cu>Cd>Hg respectively. The contramination level were found as an alarming stage for the aquatic environment. In shipbreaking area, only four groups particularly Crabs (73.43%), Polycheates (14.44%), Bivalves (10.04%) and Oligocheates (1.67%) while eight groups of benthic organisams were identified in reference site or non-shipbreaking zone. The result prescribed that the shipbreaking area is highly contaminated and the toxic condition of benthic organism  in existence than reference site. In order to, sustainable shipbreaking activities can be ensured the safe habitat for benthic organisms and aquatic environment in Bangladesh.


Keywords: Ship breaking area, control site (Sandwip Island), heavy metals, benthic fauna and aqutic environment.

The present paper undertakes a study of the
physico-chemical properties and toxic heavy metals content in the untreated and treated pharmaceutical effluents in order to evaluate the working efficiency of industrial effluent treatment plants. The treatment efficiency achieved for various parameters was conductivity (79.94%), alkalinity (93.91%), hardness (87.70%), chloride (89.24%), cyanide (79.66%), phosphate (99.19%), total dissolved solids (85.89%), total suspended solids (96.87%), salinity (52.41%), dissolved oxygen (27.32%), biochemical oxygen
demand (83.39%) and chemical oxygen demand (72.21%). The removal efficiency achieved for different heavy metals was Cu2+ (79.66%), Ni2+ (69.22%), Cr6+(80.15%), Pb2+(72.14%), Fe3+ (92.59%) and Zn2+(90.61%). The level of biochemical oxygen demand (64 mg L-1) in the treated effluents was above the limit of 30.0 mg L-1, chemical oxygen demand level
(208 mg L-1) was close to a limit of 250 mg L-1, while average Pb2+ concentration (0.10 mg L-1) was on the borderline of maximum permissible limit of 0.10 mg L-1 set by Central Pollution Control Board for safe discharge of industrial effluent in inland surface water. The average concentration of cyanide
(0.01 mg L-1) in the treated industrial effluent of our study is of great concern to the fisheries of freshwater ecosystem in which the effluents finally get discharged. Based on the results of the present study, it is concluded that the pollution level in the discharged pharmaceutical effluent is of the great concern requiring proper treatment and regular scientific monitoring so as to protect the environmental
degradation of water resources and facilitate the propagation of the aquatic life.

Ulhas river is highly polluted due to the addition of industrial wastes along Dombivli city located near Mumbai in Maharashtra state in India. Dombivli city has two industrial areas. MIDC Phase 1 and MIDC Phase 2. Industrial wastes from both these phases are added to Ulhas river waters. Hence the area of Ulhas river along Dombivli city to study the load of pollution due to addition of toxic heavy metals in river water was selected for the study. Distribution ratio of heavy metals Hg2+, Cd2+, Pb2+, Cu2+, Co2+, Zn2+, Cr6+, Ni2+ and Fe2+ was studied for each season (Rainy, Winter and Summer) for the years 2012 and 2013. Results revealed that distribution ratio of heavy metals Pb2+, Cu2+, Fe2+, Co2+ and Cr6+ increased in year 2013 as compared to the distribution ratio in year 2012. Distribution ratio of heavy metals Hg2+, Cd2+, Zn2+ and Ni2+ decreased in year 2013 as compared to the distribution ratio in year 2012. Distribution ratios were found to be maximum in Ni2+ in Year 2012 and 2013 and Minimum in Hg2+ in Year 2012 and 2013.

The present research work deals with the assessment of pollution due to toxic heavy metals in the industrial waste water effluents collected from Taloja industrial belt of Mumbai. The study reveals that dyes, paints, pharmaceutical and textile industries are some of the major industries contributing to the heavy metal pollutants in the surrounding aquatic environment. It was observed that paint manufacturing industries are the major contributors of toxic Cr, Zn and Pb amounting to 35.2, 33.1, and 31.4 mg/L respectively. It was also observed that major contribution of Cu (33.3 mg/L) was from dyes manufacturing units, while maximum Fe concentration of 12.8 mg/L was found in effluent samples released from textile industries. The concentration of Cd and Ni was found maximum in effluent samples collected from pharmaceutical industries amounting to 35.8 and 33.6 mg/L respectively. The overall results point out high concentration of toxic heavy metals in the effluent samples collected from different industries. These industrial effluents will pollute the near by water bodies affecting the growth of vegetation and aquatic life. These toxic heavy metals when released in aquatic environment will enter the food chain through bio-magnification causing various health problems in humans. The results of the present investigation point out the need to implement common objectives, compatible policies and programmes for improvement in the industrial waste water treatment methods.

CCA-treated wood is expected to increase in the UK waste stream over the next 20–50 years. The potential pollution from this waste has been evaluated through two leaching studies, one based upon batch leaching tests and another based upon a series of lysimeter tests. The aim of the studies was to characterise the behaviour of arsenic (As), chromium (Cr) and copper (Cu) from this wood when applied to soil as a mulch. Results demonstrate that all three elements leach from CCA waste wood, occasionally in concentrations exceeding regulatory thresholds by two to three orders of magnitude. In the lysimeter study, wood mulch monofills and wood mulch in combination with soil were used to monitor the leaching of As, Cr and Cu. Peak concentrations for As, Cr and Cu were 1885 μg/l, 1243 μg/l and 1261 μg/l, respectively. Freshly treated wood leached 11, 23 and 33 times more Cu, Cr and As, respectively than weathered wood. The toxic and mobile species of arsenic (As III, As V) were detected. Leaching in the CCA wood monofill was influenced by rainfall, with higher concentrations of metal(loid)s produced in lower intensity events. As and Cu were mobilised preferentially, with all metals exhibiting similar temporal trends. Retention of leached metal(loid)s was observed in lysimeters containing soil. Leaching processes appear to be favoured by the chipping process, diffusion and weathering. This study has shown that weathered waste wood mulch can cause significant pollution in soil water with potential impacts on both the environment and human health.

Summary: The increased concentration of heavy metals in surface water bodies represents one of the most significant ecological issues, associated with life-threatening consequences for the ecosystems and people. This work presents results from hydro-chemical monitoring in the upstream section ofthe Struma River (Southwestern Bulgaria). Output information includes data about seven heavy metal parameters (Pb, Zn, Cu, Ni, Hg, Cr, Cd), measured in six water sampling points during the period 2008-2017. Minimal, maximum and average values of these indices are computed. The analysis is realized in compliance with the reference norms, stated in the EU Water Framework Directives (2000, 2007, 2013), and Regulation 4/2012. Results show considerable excesses in the concentrations of Pb, Zn, Cd and Hg – from 2 to 30 times above the maximum permissible limit. At the same time, there are none exceedances in the concentration of the rest metals. An explanation of this effect gives the location of lead-zinc mines (a case of cross-border water pollution from the Republic of Serbia), coal-fired power plants and metallurgical factories in the studied catchment. To improve the hydro-ecological, and also the overall environmental status, the building of modern sewage treatment plants is needed.

The paper deals with monitoring of pollution arising due to fine chemicals manufacturing industries located along the Dombivali industrial belt of Mumbai, India. The study was carried for the period of one year from June, 2012 to May, 2013 to study the level of toxic heavy metals and the physico-chemical properties of waste water effluents discharged from the above industries. The concentration levels of heavy metals like Cu, Ni, Cr, Pb, Fe and Zn was found to be maximum of 45.94, 1.05, 7.50, 4.76, 145.87 and 21.96 ppm respectively in the effluents released during the months of February to April. The majority of physco-chemical parameters like alkalinity, salinity and chloride content were found to be maximum in the month of October having the concentration values of 1482, 4.91, 2710 ppm respectively, while the DO content in the effluents released in the same month was reported to be very much low having the value of 2.90 ppm. The effluents released during the month of June were reported to have high hardness, total solid (TS) content and COD values of 3713, 13638 and 6951 ppm respectively. The cyanide content (0.08 ppm), phosphate content (131.32 ppm) and BOD content (631 ppm) were found to be maximum in the months of December, February and May respectively. From the results it appears that as India moves towards stricter regulation of industrial effluents to control water pollution, greater efforts are required to reduce the risk to public health as toxic pollutants which are mainly colourless and odourless can be expected to be released into the ecosystems.

The present paper deals with quantification study of some toxic heavy metals in the sediment samples of Kasardi River flowing along the Taloja Industrial belt of Mumbai. The results indicates high level of pollution due to toxic heavy metals like chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), lead (Pb) and iron (Fe). The concentration of all these heavy metals were found to be much above the acute toxicity level. It is feared that these metals may enter the food chain through bio-magnification there by creating threat to aquatic life and the surrounding population. The results of the present investigation point out the need to implement common objectives, compatible policies and programmes for improvement in the industrial waste water treatment methods. [R.S.Lokhande, P.U.Singare, D.S.Pimple. Quantification Study of Toxic Heavy Metals Pollutants in Sediment Samples Collected From Kasardi River Flowing Along the Taloja Industrial Area of Mumbai, India. New York Science Journal 2011;4(9):66-71]. (ISSN: 1554-0200). http://www.sciencepub.net/newyork.

The long biological half lives, non-biodegradable nature and accumulative properties of trace and toxic heavy metals in aquatic environment has attracted great attention of environmental scientists and ecologist in recent years. Therefore, in the present investigation, we have selected Kalwa Bridge and Balkum sites along the Thane Creek to investigate pollution load due to trace and toxic heavy metals in aquatic environment. The distribution coefficient (K d) values of metals were calculated for soil and sediment samples. It was observed that the K d values were higher for sediment as compared to that obtained for soil samples. Also the K d values of metals for soil and sediments were found to be lower in rainy and maximum in summer seasons.

Diatoms play a key role in the functioning of streams, and their sensitivity
to many environmental factors has led to the development of numerous diatombased
indices used in water quality assessment. Although diatom-based monitoring
of metal contamination is not currently included in water quality monitoring
programs, the effects of metals on diatom communities have been studied in many
polluted watersheds as well as in laboratory experiments, underlying their high
potential for metal contamination assessment. Here, we review the response of diatoms to metal pollution from individual level (e.g. size, growth form, and
morphological abnormalities) to community structure (replacement of sensitive
species by tolerant ones). These potential effects are then tested using a large,
multi-country database combining diatom and metal information. Metal contamination
proved to be a strong driver of the community structure, and enabled for the
identification of tolerant species like Cocconeis placentula var. euglypta, Eolimna
minima, Fragilaria gracilis, Nitzschia sociabilis, Pinnularia parvulissima, and
Surirella angusta. Among the traits tested, diatom cell size and the occurrence of
diatom deformities were found to be good indicators of high metal contamination.
This work provides a basis for further use of diatoms as indicators of metal pollution.

The paper deals with monitoring of pollution arising due to dyeing industries located along the Dombivali industrial belt of Mumbai, India. The study was carried for the period of one year from June, 2012 to May, 2013 to study the level of toxic heavy metals and the physico-chemical properties of waste water effluents discharged from the above industries. The concentrations of Cu, Ni, Cr, Pb, Fe and Zn were found to be maximum of 44.78, 2.50, 1.75, 1.45, 64.22 and 13.22 ppm respectively in the industrial waste water effluent.It was observed that the pH value was maximum of 12.30 in the month of June while the conductivity was found to be maximum of 48000 µmhos/cm in the month of February. The majority of physco-chemical parameters like alkalinity, salinity and total solid content (TS) were observed to be maximum in the month of February having values of 3578, 44.08 and 40450 ppm respectively. The high cyanide (0.18 ppm) and phosphate (112.90 ppm) levels were reported in the effluents released during the month of March. The industrial effluent released in the month of June was reported to have high hardness, chloride and COD content having the values of 743, 2381, 8957 ppm respectively; while the DO content was found to be very low of 2.77 ppm. The BOD content in the effluents was found to be maximum of 603 ppm in the month of October. The results of present study indicates that the existing situation if mishandled can cause irreparable ecological harm in the long term well masked by short term economic prosperity due to extensive industrial growth.

In the present investigation, quantification study of different toxic heavy metals in the sediment samples of Vasai Creek of Mumbai was performed using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy technique. The study is of importance because such assessment of heavy metals in sediments helps to understand long term pollution load in aquatic environment. Such study will also help to provide a means for evaluating the long term accumulation of heavy metal contaminants. The results of the study indicates that the concentration level of most of the toxic heavy metals like Al, As, Cd, Cr, Hg, Ni, Pb, Sr and Mn for the assessment year 2010-11 were higher than that obtained for the year 2009-10 by the factor of 1.0 to 2.5 µg/g. It is expected that results of present investigation will help in rational planning of pollution control strategies so as to reduce the toxicity impact on marine life of Vasai Creek.

Monitoring and assessment of fresh water has become an environmental concern due to the contamination by human kind, thereby decreasing the suitability of the fresh water. The Kukshet Lake, which is the study area of the present investigation receives domestic raw sewage from surrounding habitation; so also the activities like cattle washing, cloth washing, bathing, religious activities like idol immersion, etc., paves the way for high concentration of harmful chemicals in the lake water. The study was carried out to understand the various physico-chemical parameters as well as to estimate the concentration of heavy metals in lake water. It was found that the concentration of the heavy metals in the lake water substantially increased after the religious activities around September to October. These heavy metals have a marked effect on the aquatic flora and fauna which through bio-magnification enter the food chain and ultimately affect human beings as well.

The most significant pollutants are the heavy metals in the aquatic network due to their toxicity, accumulation, and bio-magnification. In an attempt to characterize the physical-chemical and demonstrate the potential water impact of the heavy metal content of wastes in two lakes in Sharkia province, Egypt, this study was developed to determine their toxicity and the potential waste impacts in biochemistry and histology of fish muscle. Samples of water and fish muscles were collected and analyzed for heavy metals using atomic absorption of two different fish species (Oreochromis niloticus and Clarias gariepinus) along two canals in Sharkia province in Egypt during the four seasons in 2018. The water samples were also analyzed for the physicochemical parameters. The impact of heavy metal on the enzymatic antioxidant (superoxide dismutase and catalase) as well as the reduced glutathione content, besides the oxidative stress marker presented by lipid peroxidation levels in fish muscles, were evaluated. Results showed the largest amount of chloride (Cl-) and iron (Fe) in the Sharkia water sample, while Faquas water sample had the highest level of HCO3 and iron (Fe). The manganese concentration in the fish muscle was the highest in Sharkia water and the highest level of Fe was detected in the fish muscles collected from Faquas area. These high levels of some of the physicochemical parameters and heavy metals in the two lakes with two different wastes as seen in this study may be a source of water pollution. The highest accumulation of metals in the muscle of the two fish species, suggesting risk for human consumption. There were seasonal variations in the level of LPO in muscle tissue of two types of fishes with a reverse relationship with antioxidant parameters. This accumulation varied seasonal and spatial as well as according to the species of fish. Increasing the level of heavy metals effect on the biochemistry and histology of fish.

The absence or presence of particular plant species indicates specific level of pollution. It was hypothesized that the marble waste polluted ecosystem also host specific plant indicators that can grow, survive and tolerate more successfully than others and can be utilized in better managements of such systems. The current research work was therefore, conducted to determine the indicators of marble polluted region of Buner, Pakistan. Ecological techniques using varying sized quadrats i.e., 1 Â 1 m 2 , 5 Â 2 m 2 and 10 Â 2 m 2 for herbs, shrubs and tree species were used respectively. Standard protocols were used to prepare soil samples and plant parts (root, leaf and shoot) for Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. Indicator i.e., Populus alba L., Arundo donax L., Erigeron canadensis L and Morus alba L. were identified via Indicator Species Analyses (ISA) in various polluted zones. All the collected data were put in MS Excel for analyses in PCORD through Cluster Analysis (CA), Two Way Cluster Analysis (TWCA) and ISA. CANOCO software was used to examine the impact of miscellaneous environmental variables in zonation via both direct and indirect gradient techniques i.e., Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA) and Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA). A total of 102 plant species belonging to 95 genera and 48 families were recorded in the marble waste polluted ecosystem. CA and TWCA through Jaccard Distance measurements and Wards Linkage methods gave rise to 3 major polluted zones. These zones were i) Heavily Polluted Zone (HPZ), ii) Moderate Polluted Zone (MPZ) and iii) Less Polluted Zone (LPZ). The recorded values of Biological Concentration Factor (BCF), Translocation Factor (TF) and Bioaccumulation Coefficient (BAC) for analyzed heavy metals i.e. Fe, Mg, Ca, Na and Cu in root and shoot of P. alba L., A. donax L., and M. alba L. showed that these species were significant phytostabilizers and E. canadensis L. was phytoextracters and hence best indicandum of marble waste polluted ecosystems. It was concluded that among all the measured environmental variables, higher phosphorus level, higher pH, moderate potassium and lower electrical conductivity (EC) had significant effects (p < 0.05) on the functions of these indicators as phytoremediaters. It is recommended to develop green belts of these indicators around the marble industrial areas for the better management and hazardous free environment.

The paper deals with monitoring of pollution arising due to pharmaceutical based industries located along the Dombivali industrial belt of Mumbai, India. The study was carried for the period of one year from June, 2012 to May, 2013 to study the level of toxic heavy metals and the physico-chemical properties of waste water effluents discharged from the above industries. The concentration level of majority of toxic heavy metals like Cu, Cr, Pb, Fe and Zn were found to be maximum of 14.06, 0.57, 0.42, 18.93 and 3.31 ppm respectively in the month of February, while Ni concentration was found to be maximum of 0.43 ppm in the month of June. The pH and BOD values were reported to be maximum of 12.54 and 546 ppm respectively in the month of October. The conductivity and total solid content was found to be maximum of 27400 µmhos/cm and 9401 ppm respectively in the month of June. The cyanide content was maximum of 0.13 ppm in the month of April. The alkalinity, hardness, salinity, chloride, phosphate and COD content was reported maximum of 852, 694, 10.36, 4821, 46.32 and 1271 ppm respectively in the month of February. The DO content was found to be minimum of 3.00 ppm in the month of February. It was observed that the level of many of these toxic heavy metals except Zn and various physico-chemical parameters were above the tolerable limit set for inland surface water. From the results of the present investigation it seems that the time has come to move towards ecosystem specific discharge standards to maintain the health and productivity of natural resources on which the majority of Indians are dependent.

The present study was performed for the period of one year from June 2012 to May 2013 in order to understand the level of toxic heavy metals in the water of Mahim Creek near Mumbai. It was observed that the annual average concentration of heavy metals like Pb, Cd, Cr, Fe, Zn, Cu and Ni and Hg was found to be 0.68, 0.28, 0.15, 0.04, 2.93, 0.64, 1.29 and 0.31 ppm respectively. The average concentrations of Hg and Pb were found to be above the maximum permissible limit of 0.01 ppm and 0.1 ppm respectively set for inland surface water by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) of India. The results suggest that there is a need to have such regular scientific monitoring for longer time period in order to understand the variation in level of these toxic heavy metals discharged in to the creek water. It is feared that the existing problem if ignored may increase the pollution problem of the creek due to the toxic heavy metals resulting in threat to the biological life of an aquatic ecosystem. From the results of the present investigation it seems that the time has come to move towards ecosystem specific discharge standards to maintain the health and productivity of natural resources on which the majority of human population is dependent.

Heavy metal pollution is a major environmental problem, especially around highways with high traffic density. This study investigates the levels of Pb, Cd, Zn and Cu in roadside soils of Wukari section of the Wukari-Jalingo highway, Taraba state, Nigeria. Samples were randomly collected and analyzed using standard methods. The mean concentrations (µg/g) of Pb, Cd, Zn and Cu from all sample sites ranged: 89.6-247.0, 0.15-5.3, 26.8-163.0 and 7.1-61.2 respectively. The extent of the heavy metals contamination was assessed, as analytical data were subjected to pollution calculation methods. The contamination factors (CF) reveal extreme contamination of the sites and an increasing trend in the heavy metals concentrations was observed in sites with more human activities. The pollution load index (PLI) showed that the sites are severely polluted as the PLI of the metals from each sample site exceeded the PLI of the background (control) sample (0.7). Spearman’s rank correlation analysis sho...

The present study deals with the assessment of to xic heavy metals in water of Vasai Creek of Mu mbai. The study was carried for the assessment years 2009-10 and 2010-11 at four d ifferent sampling stations. The heavy metals studied were Al, As, Cd, Cr, Hg, Ni, Pb, Sr and Mn. It was observed that the concentration level of the various toxic heavy metals for the year 2010-11 was higher than that obtained during the year 2009-10 by a factor of 1.1 to 1.5 µg/ L. The environmental impact of these toxic heavy metals is discussed. The results of the present investigation point out the need to implement adequate environmental control and management programmes so as to min imise the toxicity effects of the heavy metals on marine life.

The present study was performed for the period of one year from June 2012 to May 2013 in order to understand the level of toxic heavy metals in the sediments of Mahim Creek near Mumbai. The annual average concentration of heavy metals like Pb, Cd, Cr, Zn, Cu, Ni and Hg was found to be 9.88, 2.33, 1.41, 33.31, 22.07, 32.21 and 32.06 ppm respectively. It is feared that this heavy metals accumulated in the creek sediments might affect the benthic macro invertebrates whose metabolic activities contribute to aquatic productivity. The results of present study indicates that the existing situation if mishandled can cause toxic effect on sediment dwelling organisms and fish, resulting in decrease survival, reduced growth, or impaired reproduction and lowered species diversity.

The rising demand of energy in the Philippines paved way for the proliferation of differentpower sources, a more dependable energy source which is coal – based thermal power plant. The disposalof coal combustion products in ponds and landfills is a great concern because of its leachability. It canbecome a problem when elements from the ash are leached contaminating groundwater sources. The maingoal of this research is to determine the concentration of heavy metals in the groundwater sources leachedfrom coal combustion products and the to assess the physico-chemical parameters of water quality. Standardmethods were employed in collection and determination of the pH, color, alkalinity, odor and temperatureand the heavy metals; As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Mn, and Hg. Mn was found to have the highest concentrationwhile Hg has the least concentration. The concentrations of heavy metals follow the trend Hg &lt; Cd &lt; Cu =Pb&lt; Cr &lt; As permissible limit set in the Philippine National Standar...

The rising demand of energy in the Philippines paved way for the proliferation of differentpower sources, a more dependable energy source which is coal – based thermal power plant. The disposalof coal combustion products in ponds and landfills is a great concern because of its leachability. It canbecome a problem when elements from the ash are leached contaminating groundwater sources. The maingoal of this research is to determine the concentration of heavy metals in the groundwater sources leachedfrom coal combustion products and the to assess the physico-chemical parameters of water quality. Standardmethods were employed in collection and determination of the pH, color, alkalinity, odor and temperatureand the heavy metals; As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Mn, and Hg. Mn was found to have the highest concentrationwhile Hg has the least concentration. The concentrations of heavy metals follow the trend Hg &lt; Cd &lt; Cu =Pb&lt; Cr &lt; As permissible limit set in the Philippine National Standar...