Assessment of
Heavy Metals in Water and the Fish Organs in River Ganga at Kanpur
Dwivedi Nalini, Singh Shikha, Paroha Seema and Gupta Varsha
Res. J. Chem. Environ.; Vol. 29(9); 41-45;
doi: https://doi.org/10.25303/299rjce041045; (2025)
Abstract
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.
