Abstract

ACCUMULATIVE LEVEL OF HEAVY METALS IN RIVERINE WATER OF MARATHWADA REGION.

Umesh Wagh*, Y. K. Khillare and Kiran Khillare

ABSTRACT

Heavy metals constitute a very heterogenous group of elements widely varied in their chemical properties and biological functions. Some heavy metals are of biological importance as trace elements but, the biotoxic effects of many of them are of great concern. Heavy metals are kept under environmental pollutant category due to their toxic effects on plants, animals and human being. Hence, there is the need for proper understanding of the conditions, such as the concentrations and bioaccumulation, which make them harmful, and how biotoxicity occurs. It is also important to know their sources, and their modes of deposition to pollute the environment, which essentially supports lives. Many studies show that the heavy metal pollution results from anthropogenic as well as natural activities. Anthropogenic activities such as mining, industrial effluents, smelting operation and agriculture have locally increased the levels of heavy metals in water up to dangerous levels. Heavy metals are persistent in nature, therefore get accumulated in water, soils, animals and plants. Dietary intake of many heavy metals through consumption of aquatic food has long term detrimental effects on human health. The impact of the heavy metals on aquatic organisms is due to the movements of pollutants from various diffuse or point sources which gives rise to coincidental mixtures in the ecosystem. Thus posing a great threat to aquatic fauna especially to fishes which constitutes one of the major sources of protein rich food for mankind. Hence this detailed analytical study has been conducted to know the concentration of different heavy metals in riverine water of the Marathwada region by using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy.

Keywords: .