Present study on the detection of heavy metals in water, sediments and fish, Cirrhinus mrigala
samples was conducted at river Ravi along with its three different sights (Ravi Siphon, Saggian
Bridge and Balloki Headworks). The stations were further divided into two sub-stations viz. (i)
Upstream and (ii) Downstream. Water and sediment samples were collected from three different
points from the sub-stations.
Water, sediment and fish samples were collected on monthly basis from November, 2015
through February, 2016. Average chromium concentrations in water samples from Baloki
Headworks during November, December, January and February were 0.33±0.17 mgL-1,
0.18±0.03 mgL-1, 0.17±0.06 mgL-1 and 0.17±0.06 mgL-1, respectively. Similarly, average
chromium concentrations from November, 2015 through February, 2016 from Saggian Bridge
was recorded 0.27±0.13 mgL-1, 0.18±0.04 mgL-1, 0.22±0.06 mgL-1 and 0.18±0.10 mgL-1,
respectively. From Shahdera bridge, the chromium concentrations of 0.28±0.12 mgL-1,
0.22±0.04 mgL-1, 0.23±0.06 mgL-1 and 0.16±0.07 mgL-1 were recorded during November,
December, January and February, respectively. Over all mean Cr concentrations in water
samples from Balloki Headworks, Saggian Bridge and Shahdera Bridge from November, 2015
through February, 2016 were recorded as 0.30±0.14 mgL-1, 0.19±0.04 mgL-1, 0.21±0.06 mgL-1
and 0.17±0.08 mgL-1, respectively.
During monthly surveys, average Ni concentrations in water samples collected from Baloki
Headworks were recorded 0.24±0.11 mgL-1, 0.27±0.15 mgL-1, 0.22±0.13 mgL-1 and 0.21±0.10
mgL-1 during November, December, 2015 and January and February, 2016, respectively. Water
samples from Saggian Bridge had Ni concentrations of 0.23±0.14 mgL-1 during November,
2015, 0.25±0.16 mgL-1 during December, 2015, 0.23±0.18 mgL-1 January, 2016 and 0.20±0.16
SUMMARY
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mgL-1 during February, 2016. Water samples from Shahdera Bridge contained Ni concentrations
of 0.27±0.14 mgL-1, 0.28±0.17 mgL-1, 0.26±0.16 mgL-1 and 0.20±0.16 mgL-1, respectively from
November, 2015 through February, 2016, respectively.
Average Pb concentrations in water samples from Baloki Headworks from November, 2015
through February, 2016 were recorded 0.14±0.12 mgL-1, 0.08±0.04 mgL-1, 0.06±0.05 mgL-1 and
0.16±0.06 mgL-1, respectively. Similarly, average Pb concentrations from Saggian Bridge
sampling stations were recorded 0.23±0.14 mgL-1, 0.25±0.16 mgL-1, 0.23±0.18 mgL-1 and
0.20±0.16 mgL-1, during November, December, January and February, respectively. The Pb
concentrations, from Shahdera Bridge water samples from November, December, January and
February were recorded 0.27±0.14 mgL-1, 0.28±0.17 mgL-1, 0.26±0.16 mgL-1 and 0.20±0.16
mgL-1, respectively.
Average Cr concentrations during the study period in sediment samples from Balloki
Headworks, Saggian Bridge and the Shahdara Bridge were recorded 0.27 mgL-1, 0.22 mgL-1 and
0.29 mgL-1, respectively. Similarly, average Ni concentrations from Balloki Headworks, Saggian
Bridge and Shahdara Bridge were recorded 0.13 mgL-1, 0.132 mgL-1 and the 0.13 mgL-1,
respectively. Average Pb concentrations from Balloki Headworks were recorded 0.20 mgL-1,
from Saggian Bridge 0.22 mgL-1 while it was noted 0.19 mgL-1 from Shahdara Bridge.
During the month of November, 2015 higher Cr concentrations were recorded from muscle as
compare to the other body organs. Similarly, liver showed maximum Pb accumulation while
higher Ni concentrations were observed from liver and muscles. During December, 2015,
maximum Cr concentration was recorded in gills and skin while higher Pb concentrations were
recorded from the liver. Similarly, Ni concentration was higher in liver as compared to the other
body organs. During January, 2016 maximum Cr concentration was recorded from liver while Pb
SUMMARY
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and Ni concentrations were recorded maximum from skin of the Cirrhinus mrigala. During
February, higher Cr, Pb and Ni concentrations were recorded from liver as compare to all the
other fish organs.
Statistically significant variations in metal ion absorption were recorded between different
sampling stations. Significantly higher (p<0.05) Ni concentrations were absorbed by alkali
treated banana peels from the water samples collected from all the three sampling stations.
Similarly, higher Cr concentrations were absorbed through the alkali treated orange peels from
Baloki Headworks.
Statistically significant (p<0.05) variations in absorption of heavy metals from water samples
was recorded between the sampling stations. Among all the three heavy metals, significantly
lower Pb concentrations were absorbed through acid treated banana and orange peels from all the
three sampling stations.