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The study was conducted along the Ganga River and aimed to assess the contamination levels of six heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Hg, Cu, Cr, and Zn) in fishes, water, and macrophyte (Eichornia crassipes) of Haridwar (Bhadrabad - A1), Bijnor (Near Ravidas temple-A2) and Muzaffarnagar (Bairaj Ganga bridge-A3) using a flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer (Avanta Σ). The findings revealed a concerning level of heavy metal contamination in various components of the Ganga River ecosystem. In fishes, the order of heavy metal occurrence was Cr>Zn>Pb>Cu>Cd>Hg, with Pb levels exceeding the recommended WHO/FAO limits in some samples. Water samples showed heavy metals in the order Pb>Cu>Zn>Cr>Cd>Hg, with elevated levels of Pb and Cr at site Haridwar (Bhadrabad - A1) exceeding WHO’s maximum permissible limits. Macrophyte analysis indicated heavy metals in the order Zn>Cr>Pb>Cu>Hg>Cd, with Pb and Cr levels surpassing WHO recommendations. The heavy metal bioaccumulation was higher during the post-monsoon and pre-monsoon seasons while lower in the monsoon season. Significant differences in heavy metal concentrations among different organs of fishes highlight the variability in metal accumulation and distribution. The study underscores the importance of regular biomonitoring to assess the risks posed by heavy metals, especially considering the significant reliance of the local population on the Ganga River for various purposes. Continued monitoring and implementation of mitigation measures are essential to safeguard human health and the integrity of the ecosystem in the face of heavy metal contamination.
Kumar et al. (Thu,) studied this question.