INTRODUCTION

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1.

INTRODUCTION:
Water is an essential element for life and is vital for the survival of living organisms and
plants (Alissa & Ferns, 2011). Water is the most widely distributed substance on earth;
life would not have advanced without water on earth (Kocabay et al., 2013). Physically
and apparently uncontaminated pure water is colorless, tasteless and odorless (Lenvik et
al., 1978). The quality of drinking water is of greatest concern worldwide and access to
safe drinking water is a major issue in developing and undeveloped countries. According
to the World Health Organization (WHO) report, about 780 million people worldwide do
not have access to adequate safe water; on consequences every year more than 2.2
million people from developing countries succumb to death from diseases that are mainly
associated with the lack of access to safe drinking water (Jusufi et al., 2017). Access to
safe drinking water is also a major concern in Pakistan (Khan et al., 2016). Only 25.6%
population of the country have access to safe drinking water (Ullah et al., 2017). The
surface water resources of Pakistan mainly consist of flows of the river Indus and its
streams that bring in about 138 million acres feet of water every year.
Sustaining of life without water is altogether impossible. Clean water is the key indicator
for the development of any country. Water quality is a major concern worldwide due to
presence of microbial and toxic pollutants in water sources. Naturally, water has most of
the micronutrients with most balanced levels. But these levels have been highly disturbed
by natural as well as to a greater extent by anthropogenic activities. Deficiency of
resources and lack of awareness are the major causes of water pollution issues in
developing countries including Pakistan (L. A. A. Ahmed, 2010). Most of the population
in our country relies upon freshwater springs of drinking water source. Contamination of
freshwater springs as an important concern for the health of consumers as most of the
springs in villages are unprotected and prone to contamination due to agricultural, animal
farming and solid waste dumping in nearby areas. Physicochemical and microbiological
analysis of water are two important parameters for monitoring of water quality
(Sreekanth et al., 2009). Microbial community plays an important role in the aquatic
environmental conditions as they can cause different diseases as pathogenic bacteria (H.
A. M. Ahmed et al., 2017). The physicochemical parameters such as water, temperature,
pH, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, total dissolved solids, chlorides and total hardness
were analyzed in water sample. Springs also supply irrigation water to the adjacent
agricultural areas and are subjected to the pollution by a few sources. Different diseases
like cholera, dysentery, typhoid fever and other gastrointestinal tract infections are caused
by poor microbial quality of water.

Rapid urbanization and industrial development during last decade have provoked some
serious concerns for the environment. Being a universal solvent, water dissolves toxic
organic and inorganic compounds that deteriorate its quality and influence consumer
health. Present day water sources, particularly surface water is being polluted cheaply by
domestic, agricultural, commercial, industrial wastes disposals in addition to natural
contamination added due to the dissolution of natural substances and their subsequent
transference in our flowing waters. Heavy metals contamination in river is one of the
major quality issues in many fast growing cities, because maintenance of water quality
and sanitation infrastructure did not increase along with population and urbanization
growth especially for the developing countries (Karbassi, Nouri, et al., 2008).

1.1. What are Heavy metals?


Heavy metals are natural elements characterized by their high atomic mass and their
high density. Although, typically occurring in rather low concentration, they can be
found all through the crust of our planet. Heavy metals are chemical elements with a
specific gravity that is at least 5 times the specific gravity of water (Tareen et al., 2014).
Heavy metals are among the most important environmental pollutants and are sensitive
indicators for monitoring changes in the aquatic environment. Fresh water pollution has
become a serious problem because of industrial, agricultural and domestic applications.
Small amounts of these elements are common in our environment and diet and are
actually necessary for good health but large amounts may cause acute or chronic toxicity
(Lu et al., 2007). These are about 50 heavy metals among which 18 are highly toxic in
nature. Most of the heavy metal ions are toxic to living organisms. They are not
biodegradable and are persistent. The presence of these heavy metals in water can be
detrimental to a variety of species including humans.

1.2. Sources of Heavy Metals Contamination:


Heavy metals enter in rivers from variety of sources; it can be either natural or
anthropogenic (Wu et al., 2003). Usually, in unaffected environments, the concentration
of most of the metals is very low and is mostly derived from the mineralogy and
weathering (Karbassi, Nouri, et al., 2008). Main anthropogenic sources of heavy metals
contamination are mining, disposal of untreated and partially treated affluents contain
toxic metals as well as metal chelates from different industries and indiscriminate use of
heavy metals containing fertilizer and pesticides in agricultural fields (Karbassi,
Monavari, et al., 2008). Metals enters into the river water from mining areas through
various ways such as mine discharge, runoff, chemical weathering of rocks and soils,
wet and dry fallout atmospheric particulate matter (Raikwar et al., 2008). The mine
water, runoff from abandoned watersheds and associated industrial discharges are the
major sources of heavy metal contamination, total dissolved solids and low pH of
streams in mining areas (Achary et al., 2017). Rivers in urban areas have also been
associated with water quality problems because of the practice of discharging untreated
domestic and small scaled industries into the waterbodies which leads to the increased in
the level of metals concentration in river water.

1.3. Impact of Heavy metals on humans:


Trace metal contaminations are important due to their potential toxicity for the
environment and human beings (Azetsu-Scott et al., 2007). Some of the metals like Cu,
Fe, Mn, Ni and Zn are essential as micronutrients for the life processes in animals and
plants while many other metals such as Cd, Cr, Pb and Co have no known physiological
activities (Raikwar et al., 2008). Metals are non-degradable and can accumulate in the
human body system causing damage to nervous system and internal organs (Azetsu-Scott
et al., 2007). However, the river plays a major role in assimilation or transporting
municipal and industrial waste-water and runoff from agricultural and mining land
(Raikwar et al., 2008).
The heavy metal levels in wastewater, drinking water and water used for agriculture must
be reduced to the maximum permissible concentration. Such high levels of these metals
in water reveal their load in environment. Ingestion of higher amounts of metals through
water route is of extreme significance in risk assessment studies in human health and
such substantial quantity may consequence in alarming adverse health effects ranging
from shortness of breath to numerous types of cancers. Copper, lead and zinc enter the
water usually through pipelines, air pollution and water stagnation in distribution system
may cause significant rise in their levels. Even though most of the mortality and
morbidity associated with water related disease in developing countries is directly due to
toxic substances as arsenic, fluoride, lead, manganese, chromium, copper, iron and zinc
which can lead to several water born disease. The toxicity caused by heavy metals has
been reported by a number of authors from various parts of the world (Khattak et al.,
2016). The known fatal effects of heavy metal toxicity include damaged or reduced
mental and central nervous function and lower energy level. The also cause irregularity in
blood composition, badly affect vital organs such as kidneys and lever. The long-term
exposure of these metals result in physical, muscular and neurological degenerative
processes that cause Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, muscular dystrophy and
multiple sclerosis disease. Toxicity can result from any of the heavy metals but eight of
them are considered by the agency for toxic substances and disease registry in the top 20
hazardous substances list. The metals include arsenic, cadmium, chromium, cobalt,
copper, iron, lead, manganese, mercury and platinum.

1.4. Impact of individual metals:

Water quality index is a tool which tell the standard and level of drinking water.
Contaminated water causes hazardous effects to the health of the organism. Human health is
at greater risk when confront in any form with heavy metals. Trace metal contamination of
water bodies ranks among the major environmental problems globally, with many issues
reported from developing countries in recent times (Yu et al., 2011).

Lead (Pb):

Lead is highly toxic element which is found in earth crust in the form of galena (PBS) widely
used in paint, pesticides, smoking, automobile emissions, mining etc. Lead is a portent
neurotoxin and its occurrence in water is the cause of various adverse health issues in
humans. Acute poisoning of lead results in dis-functioning of kidneys, hypertension, brain,
reproductive system, bones, anemia, cancer, nervous system damage, mental retardation and
blood enzymes changes (Ali et al., 2019).

Chromium (Cr)

Higher chromium concentration is carcinogenic as well as genotoxic. Elevated level iron is


connected with increasing risks for cancer, heart disease and other illnesses like arthritis,
endocrine problems, diabetes and also lever disease. Although manganese exists in water as a
ground water mineral yet may also enter through underground pollution sources. It may
become obvious in tap water (at concentrations higher than 0.5 mg/L) by imparting color,
odor or taste to the drinking water although health effects from manganese are not alarming
until concentration cross approximately 5 .5: mg/L.

Zinc (Zn)

Zinc concentration in tap water can be much higher as consequence of its leaching through
piping and fittings. In humans, higher concentration of zinc may cause demyelinating
disease. Provision of safe drinking water to the public is one of the major concerns in water
sector in Pakistan.

Arsenic (As)

Arsenic is a toxic element, carcinogenic to humans and is classified as group 1 carcinogen by


International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Arsenic is the main constituent of
most of the agrochemical. Sources of arsenic contamination are fungicides, pesticides,
sedimentary rocks, mining and metallurgy. It causes skin, lungs, kidneys and bladder cancer,
diabetes, reproductive toxicity and hearing loss. Arsenic is found as organic complex e.g.,
dimethyl arsenic acid which is highly carcinogenic. According to WHO (2000), the
acceptable limit of arsenic in drinking water is 0.01 mg/L.

Copper (Cu)

Higher copper concentration is immunotoxin; may cause metabolic and gastrointestinal


complications and disturbs the lever and brain specifically in patients of Wilson’s disease.
Copper has huge industrial application in the modern world. It is also considered one of the
most toxic elements which altogether change the water quality. Sources of contamination are
pesticides, mining, metal piping, paper industries. Thus affecting health by increasing blood
pressure, muscular cramp, skin irritation, stomach nausea, vomiting, anemia (Basheer, 2020).
It is always present in our food and inside the animal lever. Copper acts as reductant in
enzyme activities. The recommended dietary allowance for children is 0.9 mg per day. High
level of copper may lead to cause vomiting, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea.

Antimony (Sb)

Antimony is found in the form of antimony trioxide and potassium antimony tartrate.
Antimony is found in water which is not more harmful. It causes heart diseases and lungs
impairment. The individuals are affected with this element by breathing defiled air, drinking
sullied water or by eating sustenance’s.

Cadmium (Cd)

Cadmium is a member of transition metals in periodic table. Sources of cadmium pollution


are steel and plastic industries, electroplating, nickel-cadmium batteries, welding etc. and its
potential toxic effects are damage to kidney, cancer, bronchiolitis, fibrosis, skeletal damage.

Iron (Fe)

Iron is an essential element for human health. It is the main component of protein, enzymes
and hemoglobin. It acts as catalyst in metabolism and used for transport of gases in and out
of the body. The tolerable upper intake level for adult is 45 mg per day (Trujillo-González et
al., 2016).

Tin (Sn)

Tin is a silvery metal and soft enough to be cut with little force. Tin in concentration higher
than 0.5 mg/L may cause brown and black stains on laundry, plumbing fixtures and sinks. It
may affect the taste of beverages made from the water. High concentration of tin do not
appear to present a health hazard.

Some studies have been conducted so far especially highlighting the deterioration of some
physicochemical properties of water and heavy metal detection in various water bodies of
Pakistan. The present study reports on physicochemical properties and assessment of heavy
metals at outlets of Simly Dam. We conducted an extensive monitoring of heavy metals: Cu,
Cd, Cr, Mn, Pb etc. in water samples taken from different sites. The study provided an
understanding on the extent of contamination of these metals and physicochemical
parameters of water samples.

.5 PROBLEM STATEMENT

Determining physicochemical parameters and level of heavy metal contamination in river


Soan

1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY

The land of Pakistan has been bestowed with natural resources of ground and surface water.
Urbanization, mechanization and enhancing population has great impact on water reserves.
Water is the main solute of the body. It has obvious part in being alive. Due to advancement,
intake water maybe in state of being impure, which are of physical, biological and chemical
nature. The most pivotal impurity is of biological and inorganic nature which is hazardous to
health and eventually death.

Heavy metal contamination is the main concern across the globe. Pakistan is the country
where water scarcity along with the water contamination is the primary issue. Pakistan is
facing high contamination of various heavy metals in water bodies across the Punjab. Many
people are suffering from trace metal related diseases. High contamination of these metals
causes serious health issues. Therefore, there is a need to determine the heavy metal
contamination in water and highlight their hot spots. There is immediate need to take a
protective measure and technological treatment to overcome the contamination.

.7 OBJECTIVES

The study was targeted to achieve the following objectives.

1. To find the physicochemical parameters such as Ph, electrical conductivity, total


dissolved solids, chlorides, bicarbonates and hardness of water
2. To assess the presence of toxic heavy metals and metals (lead, arsenic, copper,
aluminum, iron etc.) in water samples

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