Assessment of Heavy Metals in Water and the Fish Organs in River Ganga at Kanpur

Heavy metal accumulation in aquatic ecosystems signifies environmental pollution from industrial waste, agricultural runoff and sewage. In Kanpur, waste from the leather and textile industries contaminates the Ganga River, harming aquatic life, particularly fish. While some heavy metals are essential in small amounts, excessive levels pose health risks to fish and bioaccumulate in the food chain, impacting human health. This study investigated the heavy metals at the study site of the river Ganga and the accumulation of heavy metals like As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Tl and Zn in the body organs of fish (Labeo rohita), such as gills, intestine, liver and kidney. Samples were analysed for heavy metal accumulation across the summer, winter and monsoon seasons through ICP-OES (Inductively Coupled Plasma-Emission Spectroscopy). River water showed high amount of As, Cd, Co, Cr, Pb and Tl. The study reveals that fish accumulates chromium, cadmium, cobalt, nickel and lead in higher concentrations than the other heavy metals. Higher accumulation is observed in fishes analysed in the summer season and the lowest accumulation is observed in the monsoon season. Heavy metals accumulate in higher concentrations in the kidneys and liver, possibly because these organs detoxify the metals from the body and storage. Elevated levels of Cr, Co, Cd, Ni and Pb in fish organs highlight significant heavy metal contamination in the Ganga River, despite water treatment efforts. This emphasizes the necessity for seasonal monitoring to mitigate harmful effects on aquatic life and human health.