Associated Health Risks from Heavy Metal-Laden Effluent into Point Drainage Channels in Faisalabad, Pakistan

Abstract

G lobally, it has been recognized that water is one of the most important and critical natural resources to sustain life on this earth. Water composition is continuously changing due to natural and anthropogenic activities that ultimately cause environmental pollution (Yousaf et al., 2016). These pollutants include both chemical (Heavy metals, detergents, agrochemical residues, hydrocarbons etc.) and microbial (Bacteria, protozoa, virus, fungi etc.) pollutants from human and animal fecal waste which can be lethal to humans (Yi et al., 2011). Sedimentation of microorganisms into dissolved organic contents present in the wastewater through biological treatments considered the best approach to remove the microbial pollutants. It serves as that are substrates for the living organism present in the water Abstract | Industrial effluent discharge has increased due to rapid urbanization and industrialization. Irrational use of this water for irrigation has caused environmental and health issues. The objective of the current study is to evaluate the treated effluents of textile, ghee and chemical industries for major heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb and Fe) and other basic analysis (pH, EC, TSS and TDS). Effluent samples were collected from the discharge of industries entering into main wastewater collecting channel located in Faisalabad city. Heavy metals contents were determined via atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Results showed that the highest pH (11.06) was recorded in textile effluent while EC (7.89mS/cm), TSS (1185.55mg/L) and TDS (6317.33mg/L) were found highest in chemical industrial effluents. Heavy metals contents were determined through atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The mean comparison of heavy metal concentration (mg/L) showed the concentration of Cd, Cr and Ni were within the safe limits; however, Fe and Pb were higher than the safe limits in all industrial effluents. The highest/unsafe concentration of metal Fe was recorded 4.093, 2.979 and 2.959 mg/L in the effluents of chemical, textile and ghee mill respectively. While the highest/ unsafe concentration of metal Pb was recorded 0.643, 0.578 and 0.286 mg/L in the effluents of textile, chemical and ghee mill respectively. The permissible limits of heavy metals Fe and Pb is 0.5 and 2 mg/L respectively. We conclude that before discharge into a receiving stream, the effluents must be treated more time with a treatment method that removes Pb and Fe within standard limits else the discharge will pose pollution and health risks to human beings.

Stress mitigation by riparian flora in industrial contaminated area of River Chenab Punjab, Pakistan

“…The heavy metals come with industrial pollution drainage and can be deposited in soil or settle in the beds of drains. Such pollution has been reported by Raza et al (2021) and Akhtar et al (2005) . On the other hand, the large affected areas show the seriousness of industrial pollution and its potential to distort the vegetation structure on a large scale.…”

Impact assessment of COVID-19 global pandemic on water, environment, and humans

“…Different types of waste produce pollution and toxicity for the soil and disturb soil physiochemical and biological properties and therefore, soil health is significantly affected ( FAO, 2015 ). Similarly, the leaching of heavy metals (Raza et al, 2021 ) and toxic substances from the disposal of medical waste, detergents, and chemicals used during COVID-19 has increased the toxic impact on soil health.…”

Impact of Silicon on Plant Nutrition and Significance of Silicon Mobilizing Bacteria in Agronomic Practices

“…They are also involved in the breakdown of organic amendments that increase humus content in the soil for better adaptability and better crop growth [134,135]. Further, these bacteria help the plants to resist the infection by certain aphids and other pests [136,137] thereby enabling the plant to cope with several other adverse environmental and climatic disturbances including water deficiency or elevated metal concentrations in soil [138][139][140]. Silicon mobilizing bacteria effectively improve the soil chemical, physical and biological properties through different mechanisms as shown in Fig.…”

“…Application of Si under saline conditions enhance the expression of AREB, TAS14, NCED3 and CRK1 gene that were noted to trigger modifications in plant cell metabolism in Solanum lycopersicum plants. Furthermore, Si transported genes were discovered in plants that regulate the uptake and loading unloading of Si in plants [138][139][140].…”