Search

In this study, the sediments of River Jindi (Pakistan) were sampled in summer and winter to explore heavy metals contamination (i.e. Fe, Cr, Ni, Zn, Co, Cu, Pb and Cd) using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The results show that the Fe and Ni concentration was beyond the allowable limits of USEPA (2005). Water physicochemical parameters of both season showed that the concentrations of NO3, total dissolved solids (TDS) and total suspended solids (TSS) surpass the allowable levels set by the National Environmental Quality Standard and/or World Health Organization. Potential ecological risk, geoaccumulation index (Igeo), enrichment factor and contamination factor demonstrated high metals contamination in sediments and were moderately polluted with Cd and Ni. Principle component analysis indicated that in both seasons heavy metals contamination occurred through similar sources. Strong correlations (p<0.05) among heavy metals and water physicochemical parameters showed that in both seasons, physicochemical parameters played a key role in metal retention and accumulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water is a key component for all living beings on the earth and comprises about 70% of the earth. Being an essential component and universal solvent, water contains several light and trace metals. The present study was conducted to evaluate drinking water, collected from different sources, for essential elements including iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), potassium (K), phosphorous (P) and zinc (Zn). The results indicated that light metal concentrations showed substantial variation among different sampling sources. Similarly other essential elements were also greatly changed among the different sources. However, the highest light metal concentration was reported for the samples collected from hand pumps. The average daily dose (ADD) and hazard quotient (HQ) assessment showed that the ADD and HQ values were higher for children than adults; however, all the values of HQ were less than one which could not be caused any health problem in the residents of the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study was conducted to explore the physicochemical characteristics, light and heavy metal concentrations in drinking water of the selected area of Lower Dir, Pakistan. In the study area, no such study about the assessment of drinking water quality has been carried out. The people of Lower Dir are unaware about the quality of water and adverse impacts of contaminated water. The research work will provide base for the awareness campaign regarding the importance of pure and safe drinking water quality.. For this purposes, the water samples (n=22) were collected and analyzed for various parameters. Among the physical parameters the pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), electrical conductivity (EC), salinity and temperature, while in - chemical parameters the alkalinity, total dissolved solids (TDS), hardness, chlorides (Cl ), and sulfates were determined. Light metals such as magnesium (Mg+2), calcium (Ca+2), sodium (Na+2), and potassium (K+) and heavy metals included lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), and zinc (Zn) were analyzed in the collected samples. The results showed that all the parameters were within the permissible limits set by World Health Organization (WHO) and Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA) except hardness (351.44 mg/L). The light metals were within the permissible limit except Mg (308.60 mg/L) that exceeded the permissible limits of WHO and Pak-EPA, while Ca (53.71 mg/L) exceeded the permissible limit of WHO. The heavy metal results showed that all the metals were within permissible limit except Cr (0.18 mg/L) and Pb (0.04 mg/L). The health risk assessment like Average Daily Dose (ADD) and Hazard Quotient (HQ) were calculated for heavy metals. All heavy metals in drinking water samples indicated no health risk (CDI and HQ<1). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article emphasizes on mercury (Hg) and its negative effects on wild plants and soil of these plants. Hg is highly demanded element because of its multiple uses as the most dangerous element for both environment and human. Not only biotic but also nonliving things can be exposed to Hg contamination. This article investigated the concentrations of Hg in wild plants and their soil samples along the three rivers including Giligt, Hunza and Indus of Northern areas of Pakistan. Natural and anthropogenic sources of Hg are present on the earth crust. Small-scale gold mining exists along these rivers and contribute in the emission of Hg in the environment through amalgamation and roasting process for gold separation from the sediments. This study based on terrestrial environment including wild plants with their soil. Almost 75-80% samples in plants showed the higher Hg contamination, while 99% soil samples showed the higher Hg concentrations. The results indicated that the mean concentrations were 27.01µg/kg and 214.31 µg/kg for plants and soil, respectively. These findings indicated the presence of Hg in the study area and contamination of soil and wild plant samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]