Toxicologia Ambiental e Analítica

Investigation of Heavy Metals in Jahangirnagar University Lakes Water in Bangladesh

Abstract

Sumon Deb Nath, Tasrina Rabia Choudhury and Rabindra Chandra Sinha

Using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer (FAAS), concentration of toxic metals Pb, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn in two Jahangirnagar University lakes were determined. For Lake-1, concentration ranged as 0.021 to 0.031 mg/l for Pb, 0.6 to 1.029 mg/l for Fe, 0.006 to 0.09 mg/l for Mn and 0.0042 to 0.0069 mg/l for Zn. For Lake-2, concentration ranged as 0.028 to 0.032 mg/l for Pb, 0.593 to 0.682 mg/l for Fe, 0.069 to 0.116 mg/l for Mn and 0.0019 to 0.004 mg/l for Zn. Cd, Cr and Cu were found below the detection limit both in Lake-1 and Lake-2. For Lake-1, the observed pH and TDS ranges 7.33-7.37 and 126-156 mg/l respectively. For Lake-2, the observed pH and TDs ranges as 7.31-7.37 and 129-152 mg/l respectively. Insignificant correlation was found among the heavy metals in Lake-1. For Lake-2, Pb and Mn show significant positive correlations among themselves and negative correlations with Fe and Zn. Iron (Fe) is more than the recommended value of WHO as we as Bangladeshi drinking standards, would pose a serious problem for aquatic lives as well as human health. Monitoring of contaminant discharge at JU Lakes should be launched for future remediation as well as the management strategies.