Authors: Sanjay Kumar Sharma V Subramanian
Publish Date: 2010/02/04
Volume: 61, Issue: 7, Pages: 1337-1352
Abstract
The study was designed to establish the distributions of trace metals dissolved organic carbon and inorganic nutrients as well as to assess the extent of anthropogenic inputs into the Narmada and Tapti rivers Water and sediment qualities are variable in the rivers and there are major pollution problems at certain locations mainly associated with urban and industrial centers The metal concentrations of samples of the aquatic compartments investigated were close to the maximum permissible concentration for the survival of aquatic life except for higher values of Cu 5–763 μg l−1 Pb 24–376 μg l−1 Zn 24–730 μg l−1 and Cr 70–740 μg l−1 and for drinking water except for elevated concentrations of metals such as Pb Fe 850–2060 μg l−1 Cr and Ni 20–120 μg l−1 In general the concentrations of trace metals in the rivers vary down stream which may affect the “health” of the aquatic ecosystem and may also affect the health of the rural community that depends on the untreated river water directly for domestic use The assessment of EF I geo and PLI in the sediments reveals overall moderate pollution in the river basinsThe authors would like to thank the Jawaharlal Nehru University SKS and University Grant Commission Project VS New Delhi India for providing necessary financial support for carrying out the study The authors are also grateful to an anonymous reviewer whose critical and constructive comments helped to improve the quality of the manuscript
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