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The comprehensive study was found out to evaluate the concentration of different water qualities of the Karnaphuli river. Samples were collected from ten points (Bhandor Ghat to Bhakoliya Khal Ghat...

In this study, the spatial distribution and hydrochemistry of arsenic (As) in shallow alluvial aquifers of Bidyananda and Nazimkhan Union of Rajarhat opazilla, Kurigram district of Bangladesh have been evaluated. Nineteen groundwater samples (depth: 10 to 50 m) were collected from the studied area for physical and chemical analysis. Based on analytical data of chemical analysis, a Piper trilinear diagram have been prepared which revealed that the groundwater of the studied area is CaHCO3 type, where Ca is the dominant metal. Physical data and permeability index values indicate good quality of the groundwater for drinking and irrigation. The concentrations of Fe, Mn and As in almost all samples exceed the WHO and Bangladesh national standard indicating significant pollutions. Groundwater As concentrations in the aquifer (10–50 m of depth) ranged from

Pimpinella anisum L. seeds of the two cultivars were assessed for their nutritional quality and safety assessment through proximate, chemical and pharmacological studies. The proximate composition along with rich mineral elements as well as minor level of toxic elements indicated the good quality of seeds. The GC–MS analyses of hydro distilled volatile oils of two cultivars contained 16 constituents. The main constituents in BSRC (Bangladesh Spice Research Centre) seeds were trans-anethole (83.67%), fenchone (5.29%) and 1,2-diisopropenylcyclobutane (6.31%) whereas, trans-anethole (69.94%), fenchone (11.184%) and d-limonene (13.007%) were the main constituents in local market seeds. The IC50 values of DPPH antioxidant activity showed at 48.71 and 52.48 mg/mL, in BSRC and local market seeds cultivars essential oils respectively. The antimicrobial activity of the essential oils showed moderate activity in both cultivars against Gram-positive, Gram-negative bacteria and fungi. Both oils had some similarity in physiochemical properties and antimicrobial activity. The brine shrimp cytotoxic activity of the essential oils exhibited weaker activity than the standard drug at 3.06 and 2.86 μg/mL (IC50) in BSRC and local market seed cultivars respectively. The present investigation demonstrated good nutritional quality with rich bioactive phytoconstituents as well as low level of toxic elements of anise seeds. The research findings can open up a new possibility for exportation of indigenously cultivated spices as well as recommendations for food and pharmaceutical industries.

Aim: The current study explores the proximate and elemental contents of three different medicinal plants, namely Cuscuta reflexa (whole plant), Cassia tora (stem) and Cassia fistula (seed pot) that have been grown in Bangladesh. Methodology: Macro (Na, K, Ca, Mg), micro (Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn, Ni, Cr) and heavy metal (Pb, Cd, As) elements, present in C. reflexa (Whole plant), C. tora (stem), and C. fistula (seed pod) were analyzed quantitatively by flame photometer and atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). Results: The minerals of the plants were found in substantial amounts (Na: 13763.75-16419.42 ppm, K: 6053.49-25864.92 ppm, Ca: 18912.16-2298.77 ppm, Mg: 1570.25-4602.23 ppm, Fe: 58.99-222.43 ppm, Cu: 3.16-11.61 ppm, Mn: 15.89-54.53 pm, Zn: 0.0367-50.2665 ppm, Ni: 0.9878-4.7186 ppm, Cr: 0.3279-0.8281 ppm, Pb: 0.3590-1.5030 ppm, Cd: 0.0016-0.0068 ppm and As: 0.0148-0.0675 ppm). Conclusion: It is evident that the investigated medicinal plants are enriched in some macro and micro nutrient, such as Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe etc which are important for biological metabolism and human health. On the other hand the heavy metals are present in trace amount which indicate the plants are safe for medicinal uses.

Air pollution has significant effects on exacerbation of asthma, allergy and other respiratory diseases. There is a great need to implement control measures in most of the megacities of the world to improve air quality and hence protect public health. Like many other megacities in the world the ambient air quality of Chittagong is also being deteriorated day by day. Main sources of air pollution in this city are arising out of the emission from the motor-vehicles, industries, galvanisms, etc. Considering the severity of the problem, the current study plan was undertaken to measure the gaseous pollutants level in the air of different urban locations of Chittagong, the second largest city of Bangladesh. Atmospheric pollutants like gaseous (SO2, NO2), particulate matters (SPM) were determined in Chittagong city. Eight different sampling stations, Muradpur Circle, WASA Circle, G.E.C Circle, Proborthak Circle, Chawk Bazar Circle, Olongkar Circle, New Market Circle and Oxygen Circle were selected for sample collection and observations during the atmospheric year 2013 -2014. The objective of the study was to determine the concentrations of gaseous pollutants (SOx, NOx) and particulate matters (SPM, PM2.5 and PM10) to find out the variation of air pollutants in different locations of Chittagong city. The concentration of gaseous pollutants was found more at highly traffic areas. The highest concentration value of SO2, NO2and SPM was observed in highly traffic area at Muradpur Circle, Olongkar Circle & New Market Circle, respectively. The lowest concentration value was found in less traffic area at WASA Circle & Proborthak Circle. The average results of gaseous pollutants, particulate matters and trace metals have been compared to national and international standards. The value of SPM in air of Chittagong city is higher than that of TLV value recommended by WHO and DOE. The elemental concentrations (e.g. Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb, Hg, Ni and Zn) of ambient air that collected at different locations in Chittagong city is exceeded the TLV. A strategic air quality management plan has been proposed.

Heavy metal pollution in agricultural soils and food crops around the ship breaking area is of great environmental and human health concern. In this work, we have spectroscopically determined the concentrations of Cd, Pb, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cr, Cu, and Ni in agricultural soils and commonly consumed vegetables, fruits, and rice grain collected from the Sitakunda ship breaking area of Chittagong, Bangladesh, in order to evaluate their contamination levels and probable human health risk with a multivariate statistical approach. Multivariate analyses such as principal component analysis and cluster analysis of the analytical data indicate a significant metal contamination in the samples which could be attributed to industrial activities such as ship breaking. The results of soil contamination evaluation indices such as enrichment factor, geo-accumulation index, and contamination factor demonstrated that the soils around the ship breaking area are mainly contaminated by Cd, Pb, Zn, and Cu while food crops were mostly contaminated by Zn, Cr, and Cu. The Pb contaminated the olive and teasle gourd while Cd contamination in rice grain was at the threshold limit for health hazard. Mn was slightly accumulated in banana. Transfer coefficient values of Cd, Zn, and Cu for almost all food crops were higher than other metals, and Cd showed the highest transfer. Estimated daily intake values for Ni exceeded the standard limit (1.3 μg kg−1 day−1). Target hazard quotient values of Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cd indicate that the local inhabitants who consume the contaminated food crops are being exposed to potential health risks.

Dhaka was established as a provincial capital of the Mughal ruler on the north-eastern bank of the Buriganga River during 1608-10. This river has enormous significance to the residents of Dhaka. Not only it surrounds the city, but also it provides important services to the residents including water supply, navigation, recreation, sanitation, fish production, tourism, biodiversity and flood control. A study was carried out to observe the ecological health hazards and their risk to human health of the Buriganga River. The samples were analyzed to determine water quality. The study showed that the water is high in biological oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), Electrical conductivity (EC), Total dissolved solid (TDS), Salinity, Alkalinity, Turbidity and low in dissolved oxygen (DO) which revealed huge environmental health risks and possible ecological disruption of this river.J. Environ. Sci. & Natural Resources, 10(1): 75-80 2017

Arsenic (As) concentration and geochemical analysis of groundwater as well as core sediments of 20 tube wells revealed the uppermost aquifer (20–40 m of depth) groundwater As concentrations ranging from 2.34 to 586.96 μg L−1, and groundwater geochemical conditions change from oxidized to gradually more reduced as higher concentrations of As increased with depth. The highest sediment As levels (25 mg kg−1) were found within the shallow depth (15 m). The groundwater of the study area is of Ca-HCO3 type, where Ca is the dominant metal with high concentrations of As, Fe, and Mn but low levels of NO3− and SO42−. The trace elements Fe, Mn, and As exceed the WHO and DoE standard in groundwater which clearly indicated As contamination except some few areas where less Fe and Mn are released in aquifer water from sediment. The contaminated As zone also corroborated with the GIS study. Considerable variability with depth and location is noted in the levels of As, Fe, and Mn in groundwater, and from these levels it can be seen that the groundwater of Rajarampur village of Chapai Nawabganj Paurasava is more reduced than the groundwater of Baragharia. Groundwater in Baragharia village contains low concentration of As below the WHO standard (

The present research work shows the dominance of iron in the industrial waste water and river water samples of the investigated area of Gazipur district. The mean iron concentrations for both types of water samples are higher than the maximum permissible limits of WHO and NEQS. The excess amount of iron in water can cause health hazards of the human beings and ecosystem. Attempts should be taken to remove the excess amount of iron from the waters of the study area. On the basis of median concentration values of the heavy metals, they can be arranged as Fe>Zn>Ni>Cr>Pb. The factor analysis reveals the dominance of first two factors which comprise 83.298% of the total variance. The factor-1 is characterized by the contamination of Fe, Ni and Zn whereas factor-2 is dominated by the presence of Cu and Pb.

The present research work shows that the concentrations of heavy metals can be expressed as Fe>Mn>Zn>Ni>Cr>Pb>Co>As in the groundwater of Phulbari area, Dinajpur, Bangladesh on the basis of their abundance. The Plio-Pleistocene Dupi Tila aquifer sediment is principally composed of quartz, feldspar and lithic grains and is characterized by low ZTR index. Seventeen groundwater samples have higher iron concentrations than the permissible limit of WHO, 2004. The chemical weathering of pyrite release iron in the natural water of the study area. The manganese content of two groundwater samples is higher than the acceptable limit. The high abundance of potassium in 11.11% water samples is indicative of the influence of agricultural activity in the investigated area. The factor analysis reveals the dominance of four factors that comprise 77.276% of the groundwater sample. The contamination index (Cd) for the heavy metals were performed and 88.89% of the groundwater samples have low contamination index. The calcium of the groundwater is resulted from the dissolution of carbonate rocks. The low arsenic concentrations indicate the fast flowing nature of the groundwater and/or low arsenic content of the aquifer sediments. The low cobalt content of the groundwater reflects the low cobalt concentration of the aquifer sediments. The heavy metal chemistry of the groundwater of the study area reveals that the quality of the water is influenced by the geogenic sources as well as the anthropogenic activities like coal mining and agricultural activities.

Dhaka is the largest and fastest-growing urban city in Bangladesh with a population density of 44,500/km2. Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (DWASA) is the sole legal entity to develop and maintain a water supply system for city people. 78% DWASA water comes from underground—which leads to incremental depletion of groundwater. In this condition, reducing groundwater dependence and switching to surface water is the only way forward. Growing and increasingly wealthier population, climate change and the urbanization process deteriorate the Shitalakshya River which is the surface water source of DWASA. The purpose of this study was to investigate the DWASA supplied water quality around Dhaka city. Physicochemical and microbiological Parameters were analyzed by American Public Health Association (APHA) standard methods. The measured pH value (6.58-7.03) and Dissolved Oxygen (DO) value (6.10-7.50 mg/L) of samples indicate safe potable water. Calcium and Magnesium were found at a significant level. Both of these elements are essential for the human body. There were no heavy metals contamination in water supplied by DWASA. Total Coliforms and Fecal Coliforms of all samples showed less than 0.2 MPN/mL (most probable number

This study was conducted to assess the concentration level of heavy metals in three available fish species (Bain, Mastacembelus armatus; Taki, Channa punctatus and Bele, Glossogobius giuris) of the Turag river, Bangladesh during the months from January to March, 2014. In case of bio-concentration of heavy metals in fish, the levels of Pb, Cd, Cr, Cu and Fe ranged from 0.01-0.13 mg/kg, 0.001-0.02 mg/kg, 0.17-0.48 mg/kg, 0.30-0.74 mg/kg and 4.05-46.86 mg/kg, respectively while Hg was below detection level. These values indicate that the heavy metals were concentrated in fish flesh at a higher level than water. The highest values of Pb, Cd and Cr were found in Bain fish, Fe was found in Taki fish and Cu was found in Bele fish. Most of the heavy metals have crossed the permissible limits in fish, especially for the values of Cr, Cu and Fe. From the results of the present investigation, it can be concluded that the available fish species are harmful for their consumers.

The study was conducted to analyze the chemical parameters and major anionic contents of water from Taltola and Mullahbari Pond at Santosh, Tangail during the months from January to March 2014. Chemical parameters such as pH, EC, DO, TDS, BOD and Alkalinity of all water samples were ranged from 7.56 to 7.78, 239.7 to 342 μS/cm, 4.3 to 5.7 mg/L, 123.7 to 175 mg/L, 2.1 to 2.63 mg/L and 87 to 154 ppm, respectively. On the other hand, the anions such as F - , Cl - , NO 2 - , NO 3 - , SO 4 -- were ranged from 0.221 to 3.8, 16 to 24, 2.5 to 3.8, 0.96 to 1.67 and 1.99 to 17.93 mg/L, respectively. In case of Br - the anionic value of water sample was not detectable. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jesnr.v7i2.22213 J. Environ. Sci. & Natural Resources, 7(2): 89-92 2014

The present research has been performed on black pepper of two cultivars to evaluate their nutritional quality and safety issue on the basis of proximate, chemical and pharmacological properties. The proximate results were compiled with the standard USDA limits. K, Ca, Mg, Na, Fe, Al and Se were detected as major elements, whereas the toxic elements were found within the recommended limit. The GC‐MS analysis of the essential oils showed the presence of δ‐3‐carene (32.61%) as the major component in Kerala cultivar whereas β‐caryophyllene (18.39%) was the major components in Indigenous cultivar. The IC₅₀ values of DPPH antioxidant activity of the essential oils were found to be 44.16 and 22.88 mg/mL in Indigenous and Kerala cultivars, respectively. The antimicrobial activity of the essential oils showed good activity in both cultivars. The LC₅₀ values of the brine shrimp cytotoxic activity were 1.03 and 1.21 μg/mL in Indigenous and Kerala cultivars, respectively. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Spice quality is an important issue in the food industries as well as export markets. Due to the toxicological effect of imported spices, much attention has been paid to the safety issue especially on cytotoxicity and toxic metal contaminations. The present study reveals that both cultivars possess rich amount of nutritional components, essential minerals, phyto and flavouring components in their essential oils and recommended level of toxic elements as well as decent antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. This study promises to scaffold a new window for exportation of quality spice and confer potential for use in food, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries.

Hydrochemistry in parts of the Lower Tista Floodplain in northwest Bangladesh is dominated by alkalies and weakly acid, having highest concentration of sodium cations and bicarbonate anions respectively. Groundwater is characterized by sodium-calcium and sodium-potassium cation and bicarbonate-chloride-sulphate anion facies, and genetically ‘normal chloride’, ‘normal sulphate’, and ‘normal carbonated’ type, and soft to saline. Based on electrical conductivity values, the area is divided into northern fresh and southern saline groundwater zone, and values like salinity, Na%, SAR, and RSC and a good correlation between Na+ and Cl−, and Cl− and salinity reveals increasing salinity with depth indicating a mixing of fresh and saline bodies due to marine transgression (?) during Holocene period in the Bengal delta. The rock weathering is likely to affect the groundwater quality by dolomite dissolution and calcium precipitation, representing reverse softening process and is brine seawater. Water extracted from shallow zone (from 20 to 30 m) has suitability for drinking purpose, livestock consumption and irrigation purposes, and partially suitable for industrial use, but that from deeper zone (from 30 to 50 m) is generally poor and unsuitable especially for irrigation purposes with low alkali and moderate to high salinity hazard. So groundwater can be used for irrigation in the area of fine textured soil with proper management practices.