Gulshan Lake, Dhaka City, Bangladesh, an onset of continuous pollution and its environmental impact: a literature review

Gulshan Lake is an urban waterbody in the most exclusive area of Dhaka city, which is confronting a heavy load of pollution by anthropogenic activities. Prior studies were reviewed to analyze the trends of pollution. Rise of ammonia (eutrophication), lack of dissolved oxygen, and toxic heavy metals (as Pb, Cr, Cd, etc.) increase are the leading factors to drive the lake towards an environmental catastrophe. The presence of various pathogenic organisms is also increasing the health risk among the neighboring population. Beneficent minerals are at the lowest level to comply drinking water requirement. Recent results measuring pollution are dire compared to 20 years before. There are many worst-case examples worldwide, which may be the fate of the lake. If urgent steps are not taken to restore the environment, the possibility of transformation into an ecological dead zone is a reality.