Study of levels of heavy metals in the river waters of regions in and around Pune City, Maharashtra, India

Abstract

Heavy metal contamination of the Mula Mutha and Pavana Rivers of Pune city during the month of January 2015 was assessed through quantitative analysis. The samples were analyzed for different heavy metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn). This study was conducted to determine the quality of run-off water which is used for drinking in the study area. A total of nine water samples were collected from the river sites. The samples were analyzed for their pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids and different trace metal contents. The mean concentrations of Cd and Pb obtained were respectively 0.039 and 0.107 mg/L which were higher than the permissible limits declared by World Health Organization (WHO), while mean nickel concentration was slightly at higher end than the permissible limit of WHO. Results showed the presence of Cd, Ni, Pb and Cu in the water samples. It is further inferred from the results that the concentration of Cr, Mn, Zn and Mo is within the allowed WHO limits in drinking water.

Keywords: Run off water, quantitative analysis, water analysis, Mula river, Mutha river, Pavana river, Bhima river.