Assessment of Heavy Metal Toxicity in Surface Water of River Bandi, Pali, Western Rajasthan

摘要

Concentrations of six heavy metals (Fe, Cd, Pb, Cu, Cr and Zn) in surface water of river Bandi from Pali to downstream Nehda along the course of river were determined to evaluate their levels. Iron, lead, zinc, copper and chromium are present in alarming concentrations in industrial effluent while concentration of lead and chromium in industrial effluent exceeds limit set by BIS for discharge of industrial surface water of 0.1 mg/l. River Bandi is of ephemeral nature up to Pali in monsoon. While from Pali to Nehda river has regular flow of wastewater from the industrial and urban area throughout the year. The high levels of cadmium (0.05 mg/l), lead (0.12 mg/l), and chromium (0.12 mg/l) is a matter of environmental degradation as flora and fauna are directly exposed to wastewater. The presence of toxic concentrations of lead, chromium, cadmium and iron in river water illustrate the impact of trace metals by the dyeing and printing industries functioning in Pali. A significant aspect of pollution of river water is the degradation of potable character.