Lethal condition of water quality parameters and bioaccumulation of heavy metals in water and fish from Balu River, Bangladesh

Abstract

The study was carried to measure the water quality parameters and concentration of heavy metals in water and fish in wet and dry seasons. Temperature, color and odor, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solid (TDS), total solid (TS), optical density, salinity, dissolved oxygen (DO) of water and the concentration of heavy metals (Cu, Pb, Cd, Zn and Cr) in water and five fish species (Puntius ticto, Channa punctatus, Glossogobius giuris, Amblypharyngodon mola and Mystus vittatus) were determined. The River water was slightly black, light gray and black in color and the odor was highly pungent in dry season. The DO values were lethal for aquatic lives. Temperature and pH were within the suitable limit in wet season. The TDS, EC and TS of water were higher in dry than wet season. The decreasing trend of metals concentrations was Zn > Cu > Pb > Cr > Cd in water and Zn > Cu and Pb > Cr > Cd in fish species. The concentration of metals in the water and fish were higher during dry than wet season. The Cu in G. giuris, Pb, Cr, Zn in A. mola, the Cd value in C. punctatus were the highest among other fishes during dry season. However, the total metal bioaccumulation were the greatest in A. mola and the lowest in P. ticto during dry season. The water was highly deteriorated in dry season compared to wet season and this might be due to discharges from the nearest industries.