Heavy metal pollution assessment in the groundwater of the Meghna Ghat industrial area, Bangladesh, by using water pollution indices approach

An integrated pollution assessment index approach was used to assess the application of heavy metal pollution indices in the Ngoua watershed in southwestern (SW) Cameroon. The concentrations of Pb, Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn, Mo, Fe and Al in most of the water samples exceeded the maximum allowable concentration recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). The Heavy Metal Evaluation Index (HEI) shows strong correlations with the Heavy Metal Pollution Index (HPI), Metal Index (MI) and the degree of contamination (Cd), and gives a better assessment of the pollution levels. Selected samples from the 10 sampling stations were classified as high polluted in Cd, MI and HPI in relation to the respective critical values. These values show comparable results to those of the HEI and indicate that about 88% of the samples with above average values were classified as highly contaminated and the remaining samples (12%) with below average values were classified as moderately contaminated. The Enrichment Factor (EF) analysis and the pollution indices reveal that the water quality is mainly controlled by natural and geogenic processes with major anthropogenic input. The current level of heavy metal distribution in the water of the Ngoua catchment is an environmental and health concern and requires special attention.

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Using heavy metal pollution indices to assess water quality of surface and groundwater on catchment levels in South Africa

Journal of African Earth Sciences ◽

10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2021.104254 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 104254

Author(s):

Ernestine Atangana ◽

Paul J. Oberholster

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Water Quality ◽

Heavy Metal ◽

Metal Pollution ◽

Heavy Metal Pollution ◽

Pollution Indices ◽

Surface And Groundwater

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Assessment of Heavy Metal Pollution Levels in Sediments and of Ecological Risk by Quality Indices, Applying a Case Study: The Lower Danube River, Romania

Water ◽

10.3390/w13131801 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (13) ◽

pp. 1801

Author(s):

Valentina Andreea Calmuc ◽

Madalina Calmuc ◽

Maxim Arseni ◽

Catalina Maria Topa ◽

Mihaela Timofti ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Heavy Metal ◽

Ecological Risk ◽

Metal Pollution ◽

Heavy Metal Pollution ◽

Surface Sediments ◽

Risk Index ◽

Potential Ecological Risk ◽

Danube River ◽

Pollution Indices

It is a well–known fact that heavy metal pollution in sediments causes serious problems not only in the Danube basin, but also in the large and small adjacent river streams. A suitable method for assessing the level of heavy metals and their toxicity in sediments is the calculation of pollution indices. The present research aims to assess heavy metal pollution in the Lower Danube surface sediments collected along the Danube course (between 180 and 60 km) up to the point where the Danube River flows into the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve (a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization – UNESCO, protected area). In addition, this monitored area is one of the largest European hydrographic basins. Five heavy metals (Cd, Ni, Zn, Pb, Cu) were analyzed in two different seasons, i.e., the autumn of 2018 and the spring of 2019, using the Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP– MS) technique. Our assessment of heavy metal pollution revealed two correlated aspects: 1. a determination of the potential risks of heavy metals in sediments by calculating the Potential Ecological Risk Index (RI), and 2. an evaluation of the influence of anthropogenic activities on the level of heavy metal contamination in the surface sediments, using three specific pollution indices, namely, the Geo–Accumulation Index (Igeo), the Contamination Factor (CF), and the Pollution Load Index (PLI). The results of this pioneering research activity in the region highlighted the presence of moderate metal (Ni and Cd) pollution and a low potential ecological risk for the aquatic environment.

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