Publish: 14:21, 01 Nov, 2024

Heavy metal pollution in Bangladesh rivers reaches critical levels

Online Desk
Heavy metal pollution in Bangladesh rivers reaches critical levels
Photo - Collected

A new comprehensive study has revealed alarming levels of heavy metal (HM) pollution in Bangladesh’s rivers over the past two decades, reports UNB.

The research, published in ‘Environmental Science and Pollution Research’ on July 12, 2024, examined pollution trends in 10 heavy metals (As, Pb, Cd, Cr, Fe, Mn, Cu, Co, Ni, Zn) from 2001 to 2020, painting a dire picture of the nation’s waterways.

Environmental Science and Pollution Research is an academic journal published by Springer, which is part of Germany-based Springer Nature.

The study conducted by a team of experts, including Debasish Pandit and Mohammad Mahfujul Haque, systematically reviewed 55 documents following PRISMA criteria.

The findings indicate that pollution levels in the last decade (2011–2020) were significantly worse than those observed between 2001 and 2010. Notably, the Buriganga River in Dhaka has been identified as the most polluted river in Bangladesh.

Regions Most Affected

The research focused on rivers across three major divisions: Dhaka, Rajshahi, and Chattogram, where the presence of most heavy metals was found to be above the threshold limits set by the World Health Organization (WHO), the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), and Bangladesh’s Department of Environment (DoE).

The mean concentration of arsenic (As), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), and manganese (Mn) exceeded acceptable limits during all three seasons, with the highest contamination occurring during the summer months.

The Buriganga, which runs through the heart of Dhaka, has been heavily affected by industrial activities, including tanneries, textiles, and electroplating factories.

These industries discharge untreated effluents loaded with heavy metals directly into the river, creating an environmental crisis that has worsened over the years.

Key Sources of Pollution

The study identified multiple sources of HM pollution, which include natural weathering processes as well as anthropogenic activities. Fertilisers and pesticides from agriculture, mining, electroplating, textiles, coal mining, and industrial wastes such as batteries and paints are significant contributors to the contamination of river water.

These pollutants accumulate in the ecosystem, threatening aquatic life, human health and the environment.

Urgent Need for Action

The research highlights the urgent need for stronger legislation and more effective enforcement to curb pollution.

Its recommendations include continuous monitoring, comprehensive research, and awareness campaigns to educate industries and the public on the importance of protecting water resources.

Experts are calling for an integrated approach to river basin planning and management, which focuses on sustainable solutions. Without immediate intervention, Bangladesh’s rivers—vital for the livelihood of millions—may become irrevocably damaged.

“The high levels of toxic heavy metals in our rivers, especially in regions like Dhaka, pose a serious threat to public health and the environment,” said one of the co-authors, Mrityunjoy Kunda. “To protect future generations, we must act now.”

The study serves as a stark reminder of the escalating environmental challenges in the Anthropocene era, where human activity has become the dominant influence on the planet’s climate and ecosystems. Protecting rivers in Bangladesh is not only a matter of preserving biodiversity but also of securing the nation's long-term water security and public health.

bd-pratidin/Rafid

More News
Ethiopian Airlines set to touch Dhaka's runway
Ethiopian Airlines set to touch Dhaka's runway
200 martyrs' families will receive assistance every week: Sarjis
200 martyrs' families will receive assistance every week: Sarjis
GM Quader claims AL blackmailed JaPa into elections
GM Quader claims AL blackmailed JaPa into elections
Case filed against Shamim Osman and 48 others
Case filed against Shamim Osman and 48 others
Environmental Ministry forms monitoring committee to implement polythene ban
Environmental Ministry forms monitoring committee to implement polythene ban
Diesel, kerosene prices fall
Diesel, kerosene prices fall
Industrial Security Task Force ensuring stability, safety in key industrial hubs: ISPR
Industrial Security Task Force ensuring stability, safety in key industrial hubs: ISPR
Dhaka's air continues to be ‘unhealthy’
Dhaka's air continues to be ‘unhealthy’
Jatiya Party calls urgent press conference
Jatiya Party calls urgent press conference
Ex-minister Obaidul Muktadir arrested
Ex-minister Obaidul Muktadir arrested
US Secret Service to train Bangladeshi officials in combating money laundering and terror financing
US Secret Service to train Bangladeshi officials in combating money laundering and terror financing
Need to hold polls quickly as only elected govt can make visible changes: Fakhrul
Need to hold polls quickly as only elected govt can make visible changes: Fakhrul
Latest News
NBR lifts duties on rice import
NBR lifts duties on rice import

22 minutes ago | Economy

Ethiopian Airlines set to touch Dhaka's runway
Ethiopian Airlines set to touch Dhaka's runway

29 minutes ago | National

'I wanted to silence the entire stadium'
'I wanted to silence the entire stadium'

35 minutes ago | Sports

200 martyrs' families will receive assistance every week: Sarjis
200 martyrs' families will receive assistance every week: Sarjis

41 minutes ago | National

GM Quader claims AL blackmailed JaPa into elections
GM Quader claims AL blackmailed JaPa into elections

46 minutes ago | National

Sundarbans bandits release fishermen after ransom.
Sundarbans bandits release fishermen after ransom.

58 minutes ago | City

Bashundhara provides food aid to Shahana's family
Bashundhara provides food aid to Shahana's family

1 hour ago | Shuvosangho

Hezbollah’s deadliest rocket strikes in months kill 7 in Israel
Hezbollah’s deadliest rocket strikes in months kill 7 in Israel

1 hour ago | International

Kamala Harris scores win with Gen Z, Gen Alpha
Kamala Harris scores win with Gen Z, Gen Alpha

2 hours ago | International

Heavy metal pollution in Bangladesh rivers reaches critical levels
Heavy metal pollution in Bangladesh rivers reaches critical levels

2 hours ago | National

Case filed against Shamim Osman and 48 others
Case filed against Shamim Osman and 48 others

2 hours ago | National

The businessmen are in dire straits now: Md Jashim Uddin
The businessmen are in dire straits now: Md Jashim Uddin

3 hours ago | Special

Environmental Ministry forms monitoring committee to implement polythene ban
Environmental Ministry forms monitoring committee to implement polythene ban

3 hours ago | National

Diesel, kerosene prices fall
Diesel, kerosene prices fall

4 hours ago | National

Lewis cuts loose as West Indies beat England by 8 wickets in the rain-affected 1st ODI
Lewis cuts loose as West Indies beat England by 8 wickets in the rain-affected 1st ODI

4 hours ago | Sports

Industrial Security Task Force ensuring stability, safety in key industrial hubs: ISPR
Industrial Security Task Force ensuring stability, safety in key industrial hubs: ISPR

4 hours ago | National

Dhaka's air continues to be ‘unhealthy’
Dhaka's air continues to be ‘unhealthy’

4 hours ago | National

Jatiya Party calls urgent press conference
Jatiya Party calls urgent press conference

5 hours ago | National

Iran issues warning of severe retaliation against Israel after airstrikes
Iran issues warning of severe retaliation against Israel after airstrikes

6 hours ago | International

Ex-minister Obaidul Muktadir arrested
Ex-minister Obaidul Muktadir arrested

7 hours ago | National

Russia begins nuclear drill as West plans response
Russia begins nuclear drill as West plans response

7 hours ago | International

Half of Americans fear of weaker democracy no matter who wins the election
Half of Americans fear of weaker democracy no matter who wins the election

8 hours ago | International

US Secret Service to train Bangladeshi officials in combating money laundering and terror financing
US Secret Service to train Bangladeshi officials in combating money laundering and terror financing

8 hours ago | National

Anti-discrimination Students Movement announces to seal Jatiya Party office
Anti-discrimination Students Movement announces to seal Jatiya Party office

17 hours ago | City

Need to hold polls quickly as only elected govt can make visible changes: Fakhrul
Need to hold polls quickly as only elected govt can make visible changes: Fakhrul

18 hours ago | National

Law Adviser to perform Speaker's administrative, financial responsibilities
Law Adviser to perform Speaker's administrative, financial responsibilities

18 hours ago | National

Government raises BCS exam attempt limit to four
Government raises BCS exam attempt limit to four

19 hours ago | National

Students, protesting people set Jatiya Party’s central office on fire
Students, protesting people set Jatiya Party’s central office on fire

19 hours ago | National

Dengue takes 7 more live in 24 hrs
Dengue takes 7 more live in 24 hrs

20 hours ago | National

Salary issue of women's football team to be resolved soon: Press Secretary
Salary issue of women's football team to be resolved soon: Press Secretary

20 hours ago | Sports

Most Read
Flood victims in remote areas get food aid
Flood victims in remote areas get food aid

1 month ago | National

Bashundhara Group urges govt to stop propaganda to safeguard millions’ livelihoods
Bashundhara Group urges govt to stop propaganda to safeguard millions’ livelihoods

4 weeks ago | National

Nowfel and Liton: Duo in looting Tk 5,000 crore through fake cigarettes, band rolls
Nowfel and Liton: Duo in looting Tk 5,000 crore through fake cigarettes, band rolls

3 weeks ago | Special

Porimoni announces exciting news
Porimoni announces exciting news

1 week ago | Showbiz

Pori Moni’s film campaign in Kolkata’s puja mandap
Pori Moni’s film campaign in Kolkata’s puja mandap

2 weeks ago | Showbiz

Facebook turns 20: From Zuckerberg's dormitory to a $1tn company
Facebook turns 20: From Zuckerberg's dormitory to a $1tn company

8 months ago | Feature

Agarwala’s Diamond World evades Tk25,200cr in VAT
Agarwala’s Diamond World evades Tk25,200cr in VAT

2 months ago | National

What's behind China's gold-buying spree?
What's behind China's gold-buying spree?

6 months ago | Feature

Tasty drinks to boost kids' immunity in winter
Tasty drinks to boost kids' immunity in winter

9 months ago | Lifestyle

Prince Harry, Britney Spears’ memoirs shortlisted for British Book Awards
Prince Harry, Britney Spears’ memoirs shortlisted for British Book Awards

7 months ago | Lifestyle

Russell's Viper: Myths, Facts, and Everything You Need to Know
Russell's Viper: Myths, Facts, and Everything You Need to Know

4 months ago | Feature

Concerns mount over looted weapons
Concerns mount over looted weapons

2 months ago | Special

Who was Thomas Matthew Crooks, the 20-year-old man tagged as Trump Shooter
Who was Thomas Matthew Crooks, the 20-year-old man tagged as Trump Shooter

3 months ago | International

English Speaking Clubs in Bangladeshi Schools: A Path to Global Competence
English Speaking Clubs in Bangladeshi Schools: A Path to Global Competence

7 months ago | Reader column

Pakistan takes on Sri Lanka in Asia Cup final
Pakistan takes on Sri Lanka in Asia Cup final

2 years ago | Sports

Bangladesh to play two T20s against UAE
Bangladesh to play two T20s against UAE

2 years ago | Sports

Woman held with 20 gold bars in Chuadanga
Woman held with 20 gold bars in Chuadanga

1 year ago | National

World's rarest whale washes up on New Zealand beach
World's rarest whale washes up on New Zealand beach

3 months ago | Feature

Newly appointed Indian HC Pranay Kumar arrives in Dhaka
Newly appointed Indian HC Pranay Kumar arrives in Dhaka

2 years ago | National

Some skills to learn before going to study abroad
Some skills to learn before going to study abroad

9 months ago | Lifestyle

Factors that influence ADHD symptoms
Factors that influence ADHD symptoms

3 months ago | Lifestyle

Coconut for summer skin and hair care
Coconut for summer skin and hair care

3 months ago | Lifestyle

Study reveals changing attitudes of Bangladeshis towards Rohingya refugees
Study reveals changing attitudes of Bangladeshis towards Rohingya refugees

5 months ago | Feature

Sajia Tonny's 'Style with Me by Sajia' becomes popular in social media
Sajia Tonny's 'Style with Me by Sajia' becomes popular in social media

4 months ago | Lifestyle

Exploring Ratargul Swamp Forest: A Comprehensive Travel Guide to the “Amazon of Bangladesh”
Exploring Ratargul Swamp Forest: A Comprehensive Travel Guide to the “Amazon of Bangladesh”

5 months ago | Feature

Pentagon ran secret anti-vax campaign to undermine China during pandemic
Pentagon ran secret anti-vax campaign to undermine China during pandemic

4 months ago | Feature

King Charles III celebrates 75th birthday
King Charles III celebrates 75th birthday

11 months ago | Lifestyle

Dhakaiaa Jamdani revolutionizing fashion in Bangladesh
Dhakaiaa Jamdani revolutionizing fashion in Bangladesh

4 months ago | Lifestyle

Aquaculture production overtakes capture fisheries for first time
Aquaculture production overtakes capture fisheries for first time

4 months ago | Feature

Real Madrid down Juventus 2-0 in friendly
Real Madrid down Juventus 2-0 in friendly

2 years ago | Sports