Analyzing the Risk of Heavy Metal Pollution in Wastewater from the Open Drainage System in Rajshahi City, Bangladesh

Authors

  • Sha Md Shahan Shahriar Department of Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi-6205, Bangladesh
  • Umme Kulsum Department of Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi-6205, Bangladesh
  • Md Mahfujul Hasan Institute of Food Science and Technology (IFST), Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR), Dhaka, Bangladesh
  • Md Sarwar Hossain Department of Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi-6205, Bangladesh
  • Tafsir Hasan Department of Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi-6205, Bangladesh
  • Sayed M A Salam Department of Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi-6205, Bangladesh

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3329/jes.v16i1.82666

Keywords:

Contamination; Heavy Metals; Pollution Index; Risk Assessment; Wastewater; Water Quality.

Abstract

This study evaluates heavy metal concentrations in drainage wastewater from 12 locations in Rajshahi City, assessing risks to aquatic ecosystems and public health using di-acid digestion method and atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The mean levels of heavy metals were Zn > Mn > Pb > Cr > Cu > Cd. Pb, Cr, and Cd levels exceeded the permissible limits set by the USEPA (0.006, 0.05, and 0.01 mg/L, respectively) and WHO (0.01, 0.05, and 0.003 mg/L, respectively), indicating significant contamination risks. Cu, Zn, and Mn levels, remained within permissible thresholds. All samples showed high metal concentrations with metal index values above 1. Notably, 75% of sites had HPI values over 100, 75% of the samples exhibited DC values over 3, 50% of the samples showed EWQI readings exceeding 0.3. The findings highlight the urgent need for improved wastewater treatment and sustainable water management practices to mitigate health and environmental risks.

Journal of Engineering Science 16(1), 2025, 47-60

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Published

2025-07-02

How to Cite

Shahriar, S. M. S., Kulsum, U., Hasan, M. M., Hossain, M. S., Hasan, T., & M A Salam, S. (2025). Analyzing the Risk of Heavy Metal Pollution in Wastewater from the Open Drainage System in Rajshahi City, Bangladesh. Journal of Engineering Science, 16(1), 47–60. https://doi.org/10.3329/jes.v16i1.82666

Issue

Vol. 16 No. 1 (2025)

Section

Articles

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Copyright (c) 2025 Journal of Engineering Science

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