Heavy metals content in water, water hyacinth and sediments of Lalbagh tank, Bangalore (India).

ABSTRACT

The present study was undertaken for assessing the level of heavy metals such as iron, zinc, copper, nickel, chromium, lead and cadmium in water, water hyacinth and sediment samples of Lalbagh tank, Bangalore. Metals were detected using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The results revealed that by and large all metals are present in all the samples, except cadmium in the sediment samples. The average concentrations of iron in water and sediment samples, and lead in water hyacinth were found exceeding the limits of Indian Standards. In general, the concentrations of iron and zinc were found more, followed by lead, chromium, copper, nickel and cadmium cancentration was low. Bioaccumulation factor for water hyacinth was found maximum for chromium. Geoaccumulation index results revealed that there is moderate input of copper and lead from anthropogenic sources to the tank basin.