Distribution of trace elements in flowing surface waters: Effect of seasons and anthropogenic practices in India

This study reports the distribution of Cr, Ni, Cu and Pb in waters, sediments, macrophytes and fish of the Yamuna River's patch in Delhi (India). This is one of the most polluted stretches of rivers in the world. Water from this river is used fosr irrigation, industrial and domestic purposes, including drinking water. The effects of season and anthropogenic practices were identified. Almost zero dissolved oxygen and high levels of lead and phosphate indicate the polluted state of the aquatic system. The enrichment factors in sediments (with respect to reference site) vary in the range of 0.60-82.9% (Cr), 1.40-90.5% (Ni), 1.00-85.3% (Cu) and 3.80-86.6% (Pb). The toxic effects due to Ni and Pb could frequently be visible in aquatic life as their values fall above the probable effect level (36mg Kg(-1) for Ni and 91.3mg Kg(-1) for Pb). The metal contents in the macrophyte (Eichhornia crassipes) and the fish (Oreochromis niloticus) generally increase in the summer season. Cu and Pb accumulate preferentially in E. crassipes. The fish from these waters is unsuitable for human consumption as the levels of Cr, Cu and Pb are above the recommended limits. Significant spatial variations in parameters of water and sediments were confirmed via one-way analysis of variance. The Pearson's correlation analysis suggests a common source of some of the metals. Principal component analysis highlighted domestic, and industrial waste and coal-fired thermal power plants as the metal sources. This study might act as a benchmark for other investigations focused on similarly affected surface aquatic systems due to agricultural and industrial activities.