Evaluation of heavy metal contamination in soil, water, and fish in an industrial zone in Bangladesh: ecological and potential health risk
Abstract
The potential heavy metal pollution in both groundwater and surface water, sediment, and fish of different land-use locations near Chattagram Bangladesh (ship breaking industrial complex, heavy industrial areas, and sea beach areas) was investigated in the present study. Water, sediment and fish samples were analyzed for As, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn; heavy metal pollution index (HPI), entropy-weighted water quality index (EWQI), geo-accumulation index (Igeo), contamination factor (CF), enrichment factor (EF), metal pollution index (MPI), degree of contamination (Cdeg), pollution load index (PLI) and metal contamination index (MCI), hazard index (HI), lifetime carcinogenic risk (LCR) and health risk index (HRI) were also calculated. A total of 5 seawater samples, 7 groundwater samples, 5 sediment samples, and 5 fish samples were collected from the study area. All the groundwater and surface water samples from industrial areas exceed the WHO-2011 permissible limit. The metal distribution in sediment samples showed the order Zn > Ni > Cr > Cu > Pb > As. EWQI and HPI value indicated that both groundwater and surface water quality at industrial areas are very poor, critically contaminated, unsuitable for drinking purpose. The Igeo, CF and EF value in sediment samples showed the order As > Pb > Zn > Ni > Cu > Cr. The Cdeg, PLI, and MCI index values indicated that Fauzdarhat and Bhatiari sites are highly polluted followed by Kumira and Kalurghat and the least heavy metal contamination was recorded at Potenga sea beach. Pearson’s correlation and principal component analysis (PCA) results indicated that pollution sources mainly originated from industrial/sewage contamination, with minor contributions (As and Fe) from geogenic sources. The HI and LCR value for sediment samples indicated higher health risks for children only via the ingestion process. Dermal and inhalation exposure pathways don’t pose any adverse health effects for both adults and children but both groundwater and surface water sample HI and LCR values showed adverse health effects at most of the sites. However, the health risk index (HRI) value indicated no adverse health impacts on humans due to fish consumption. To diminish heavy metal pollution in coastal areas, effective management should include preventing pollution, enforcing regulations, and using remediation technologies. Public consciousness, community involvement, and international collaboration are also key to mitigate contamination and restoring ecosystems.
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BibTeX
@article{Choudhury2025,
title = {Evaluation of heavy metal contamination in soil, water, and fish in an industrial zone in Bangladesh: Ecological and potential health risk},
author = {Choudhury, Tasrina Rabia and Moniruzzaman, Md and Anonna, Tasnim Abdary and Al-Asad, Hafiz and Samanta, Palas and Islam, Farhana},
journal = {Regional Studies in Marine Science},
volume = {86},
pages = {104162},
year = {2025},
publisher = {Elsevier},
abstract = {The potential heavy metal pollution in both groundwater and surface water, sediment, and fish of different land-use locations near Chattagram Bangladesh (ship breaking industrial complex, heavy industrial areas, and sea beach areas) was investigated in the present study. Water, sediment and fish samples were analyzed for As, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn; heavy metal pollution index (HPI), entropy-weighted water quality index (EWQI), geo-accumulation index (Igeo), contamination factor (CF), enrichment factor (EF), metal pollution index (MPI), degree of contamination (Cdeg), pollution load index (PLI) and metal contamination index (MCI), hazard index (HI), lifetime carcinogenic risk (LCR) and health risk index (HRI) were also calculated. A total of 5 seawater samples, 7 groundwater samples, 5 sediment samples, and 5 fish samples were collected from the study area. All the groundwater and surface water samples from industrial areas exceed the WHO-2011 permissible limit. The metal distribution in sediment samples showed the order Zn > Ni > Cr > Cu > Pb > As. EWQI and HPI value indicated that both groundwater and surface water quality at industrial areas are very poor, critically contaminated, unsuitable for drinking purpose. The Igeo, CF and EF value in sediment samples showed the order As > Pb > Zn > Ni > Cu > Cr. The Cdeg, PLI, and MCI index values indicated that Fauzdarhat and Bhatiari sites are highly polluted followed by Kumira and Kalurghat and the least heavy metal contamination was recorded at Potenga sea beach. Pearson’s correlation and principal component analysis (PCA) results indicated that pollution sources mainly originated from industrial/sewage contamination, with minor contributions (As and Fe) from geogenic sources. The HI and LCR value for sediment samples indicated higher health risks for children only via the ingestion process. Dermal and inhalation exposure pathways don’t pose any adverse health effects for both adults and children but both groundwater and surface water sample HI and LCR values showed adverse health effects at most of the sites. However, the health risk index (HRI) value indicated no adverse health impacts on humans due to fish consumption. To diminish heavy metal pollution in coastal areas, effective management should include preventing pollution, enforcing regulations, and using remediation technologies. Public consciousness, community involvement, and international collaboration are also key to mitigate contamination and restoring ecosystems.},
}