Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences

Year: 2002 | Volume: 5 | Issue: 5 | Page No.: 607-608
DOI: 10.3923/pjbs.2002.607.608

Trace Metal Concentration in Water of the Karnaphuli River Estuary of the Bay of Bengal

Biplob Das, Yusuf Sharif Ahmed Khan and Mohammad Abdul Karim Sarker

Abstract: A study was conducted for the determination of some trace metal (Cr, Mn, Zn, Ni, Cu, Pb, Cd and Fe) concentrations in water of the Karnaphuli River estuary analyzing seasonally viz., pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon by employing air acetylene flame in combination with single element hollow cathode lamps and atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Sub-surface water samples were collected from 4 stations namely Mouth, Naval base, Sadarghat and Kalurghat regions of the Karnaphuli River estuary. The concentrations ( g^-1 dry weight) of Cr, Mn, Zn, Ni, Cu, Pb, Cd and Fe were found to range from 0.421 to 0.925, 0.498 to 1.372, 0.472 to 1.186, 0.356 to 0.865, 0.372 to 0.973, 0.405 to 1.195, 0.090 to 0.217 and 20.025 to 42.203 respectively. The concentrations of Pb, Cu, Fe, Ni and Cr were observed higher and concentrations of Mn and Cd were found lower than that of the recommended values. It is assumed from the analytical findings that the estuary has been polluted from domestic sewage, land washout, river run-off and shipping activities.