Trace Metal Contamination in the Water Environment of Dhaka City

The environment, economic growth and development of Bangladesh are highly influenced by water-its regional and seasonal availability and the quality of surface and groundwater. Surface water of Dhaka metropolitan city is unprotected. An investigation was carried out to study As, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb and Zn contents and the hazards of these trace metal contamination in pond, lake and river waters of Dhaka metropolitan city. The average concentration of As, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb and Zn were varied from 0.002 to 0.006, 0.030 to 0.413, 0.227 to 0.690, 0.173 to 0.900, 0.113 to 0.390 and 0.01 to 0.23 ppm, respectively. According to drinking water (potable water), public water, irrigation water and for aquaculture standard As, Cu, and Zn toxicity were not detected. In most cases, the concentrations of Mn and Pb were considered as toxicants. Seasonal fluctuations of concentrations were also found in all samples.