ISSN 1560-201X Journal of Remote Sensing and Environment, 1998, Vol.2 An Environmental Assessment of Trace Metals in the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna Estuary Yusuf Sharif Ahmed Khan', Md. Shahadat Hossain’, Hossain* and A.H.M. Halimuzzaman® Ge Amzad ' Institute of Marine Sciences, University of Chittagong, Chittagong-4331. Bangladesh. ? Chittagong Urea Fertilizer Limited (CUFL), Rangadia, Chittagong. Bangladesh, ABSTRACT Degradation of the coastal and estuarine environment of Bangladesh results trom a wide range of land-based activities. Major land-based pollutions originate from ‘municipal, agricultural and industrial activities. ‘The level of some trace metals (Cu Pb, Zn, Ni, Cd, Mn, Fe and Cr) in sub-surface water and surficial sediment of the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna estuary were analyzed seasonally viz. pre-monsoon. monsoon and post-monsoon from January to December 1996 by employing ai acetylene flame in combination with single element hollow cathode lamps and atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The results of trace metal concentrations in water and sediment of the investigated area showed indiscriminate rise and fall among the three seasons, Distributions of trace metals in sediment were not related to the corresponding distributions in water, although the concentrations of trace metals in water were low, the corresponding contents in sediments were high. ‘The estuary have been polluted from domestic sewage, land washout, river run-off, and shipping since the early 1950s. But the combination of a strong river run-off during monsoon and the semi-diurnal tide along the north-eastern coast of the Bay of Bengal creates a dynamic regime which removes much of the fine grained materials, thereby preventing to build up polluted environment. 1. INTRODUCTION The continual development of agricultural, industrial and urban activities has given rise to a number of environmental problems. Trace metal contamination in aquatic environment is of critical concern, due to toxicity of metals and their accumulation in aquatic habitat: and they undergo a global ecological cycle in which natural waters are the main pathways. Metals introduced into the marine environment by dumping, domestic wastes, industrial effluents, ship breaking activities, urban run-off, atmospheric Trace metals, in contrast to most pollutants, are not biodegradable, deposition and mining activities, as well as upstream run-off, are absorbed on to deposits and incorporated into marine sediments. River run-off includes contributions from chemical weathering and erosional processes as well as upstream 103anthropogenic sources. A large part of the trace metal input ultimately aecumulates in the estuarine zone and continental shelf, since these areas are important sinks for suspended matter and associated land-derived contaminants. Bangladesh is a riverain country and most of the industries have been set up on the river banks and following this, population has grown up surrounding it. Exereta and sewage from human population, and w. influence the water bodies of the river. Many industries such as palp and paper mills, rayon mills, oil refineries, paint and colour factories, textile mills, soap factories, tanneries, jute mills, fertilizer industries, steel and iron mills. etc use a large amount of water for their manufacturing process and machinery requirement. After use, this water with solid wastes and effluents are discharged into the nearest water body without any treatment. These large volume of organic and inorganic wastes change the chemical characteristics of the water body by producing large istes and effluents from industries. quantities of toxic substances. Metalloids are serious pollutants because they are stable compounds not readily removed by oxidation, precipitation or any other natural processes, Lower concentratiot prevent the self purification power of a water body. The problems associated with trace metal contamination were first highlighted in the industrially advanced countries because of their larger industrial discharges and especially by incidents of mercury and cadmium pollution in Sweden and Japan. In Japan, Minamata disease was caused and thousands of people died from intake of fish which accumulated mercury at danger point. Acuteness of toxicity and devastating eft on animals were amply proved by the itai-itai disease in human beings. s of metalloids may also kill aquatic organisms and may hinder or ects of cadmium In recent times, the occurrence of metal contaminants especially the trace metals in of natural loads, has become a problem of increasing concern. This situation has aris expansion of industrial activities, exploration and exploitation of natural resources, extension of irrigation and other modern development of amenities and agricultural practices. exces en as a result of rapid growth of population, increased urbanization, Sediment analysis offers certain advantages over water analysis for the detection and control of metal pollution in estuaries (Luoma, 1990), although its metal concentrations can also fluctuate over time (Araujo ef al., 1988) and the rate of 104change is well below than that of the water (Boyden er a/., 1979). Sediments are capable of producing an integrated record of the metal pollution with a reasonable sampling effort when compared to water analysis Although sediments do not provide a direct measure of the pollutants bioavailability, they provide information about the transport and fate of the metal which biological indicators cannot provide. Surface sediment often interacts with suspended materials, thereby affecting the release of metals to the overlying water. Therefore, the top few centimetres of the sediment layer reflect the continuously changing present day degree of contamination, instead of recording the history of contamination, Urban and industrial activities in the coastal environment of Bangladesh introduce significant amount of pollutants (among them trace metals) into the Bay of Bengal. The morphology of our coastal area causes the development of a strong tidal current that changes direction every 6 hours. The tidal current causes the quick transport and dispersion of pollutants but also affects significantly the sedimentation processes. Monitoring systems are essential to track long-existing pollution processes, but the lack of monitoring system in our coastal environment makes it very difficult to draw certain conclusion about the long-term results of human activities. The present work has been undertaken to detect the total concentrations of some trace metals from sub-surface water and surficial sediment of the Ganges- Brahmaputra-Meghna (GBM) estuary to find out whether the concentrations are harmful to the environment or not. And also to make recommendations for the protection of estuarine and coastal environment of Ban conservation of fishery resources of the Bay of Bengal from metal contamination ladesh as well as for the 2, ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITION OF THE STUDY AREA The international rivers Ganges and Brahmaputra enter Bangladesh from western and northern sides respectively and meet inside the country and then flow down- stream in the name of "Meghna river’ and finally fall into the Bay of Bengal (Figure 1). This is the main freshwater input into the Bay of Bengal. So, the estuary is very important from the historical view point. Since prehistoric times the region has been one of the areas of most active sedimentation in the world. Denudation of the Himalayas resulted in the formation of the world’s largest delta which is still active at a rate of about 70 cm per one thousand years (Curray and Moore, 1971; Biswash, 1978). 1051°E 800E 80 88°F 92°E 9er GBM deltaic region showing study areas, enlar (below) to show geographical location of ten sampling stations. 106The accretion-erosion process of the islands like Hatiya, Sandwip and Bhola has indications of strong sedimentary process in the vast GBM estuary which constitute about 12,800 km’ of inshore fish habitat (West, 1973). Increase in erosion of the islands in the past few decades is evident. Sandwip has lost over 72 km? in the last 2 centuries. Hatiya increased to about 1070 km? from 307 km? within a period of 166 years (1779-1945) and lost 700 km’ of accreted land by the year 1979 within a period of 34 years only (Mirja and Shahjahan, 1987). Huge rate of accretion in the past indicates an extensive amount of deposit carried down by the rivers, likewise increased erosion in the recent years must be translated at increased transfer of sediments to the sea. Due to heavy siltation in the near shore regions there results a continual change in the habitat, specially the bottom topography is’subjected to continual alteration. The study area is the transition zone between Chittagong port and all kinds of inland shipping. So, all of the river going vessels both passenger and cargo, oil tankers. mechanized and non-mechanized boats, etc run through the estuary from Chittagong port to the upstream districts and even to the capital city and vice versa. As it is the well-established domestic shipping route; dumping of waste materials, ballast water, oil leakage, accidents, ctc may occur. Water and sediment of this estuary was not studied previously for trace metal determination. 3. MATERIALS AND METHODS 3.1 Field Data Collection Water and sediment samples were collected seasonally (i.e. pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon) from the 10 stations of the GBM estuary (Figure 1). Sub- surface water samples were collected by using a Ruttner sampler of fiber glass made and were kept in acid washed polyethylene bottles, acidified immediately after collection with the addition of 2 ml ultrapure HNO; per liter of water (Morley ef al., 1993) and then carefully preserved in refrigerator for laboratory analysis. The surficial sediments were collected with a stainless steel Ekman grab sampler, which allows free water passage through the sampler during decent and sediment penetration. The sampler was inspected from the possible cross-contamination (i.¢ sediment from the previous station) and ringed with ambient water at each station. The upper 2-3 cm of the sediment from the central part of the grab Sampler, i.e. not contact with the sides of the sampler, were removed and placed into a pre-cleaned polyethylene bag. 3.2 Analytical Procedure 250 ml of well mixed acidified water sample was digested with HNO; and filtered by using Quantitative Whatman 541 filter paper. Sediment samples were sieved using 2 mm mesh size and oven dried at 105°c to constant weight and then gently 107 ~grounded. To detect total metal concentrations 0.5 gm sample was digested using 2 ml aqua regia (HNO; : HCl; 1:3 v/v) and 6 ml of 10 M hydrofluoric acid (HF), ic HCI for reactive fraction, HF for silicate fraction and concentrated HNO; for pirate fraction (Morse ef al., 1993). The trace metals were estimated by atomic absorption spectrophotometer (Hitachi, A-1800). Blank digestion was also performed to quantify possible contamination during sample preparation and analyses. 4, RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS Trace metal concentrations in estuarine and coastal waters are the product of a balance between inputs of high concentrations from rivers and flushing with oceanic water containing low concentrations. The results of trace metal concentrations in water and sediment of the investigated area showed indiscriminate rise and fall among the three seasons (Tables | and 2). Seasonal climate and hydrologic driving forces can affect the riverain input, residue time and concentration of trace metals in water column, which are highly correlated with anthropogenic input. Sediments accumulate metals and affect the near-bottom water layer due to resuspension or dissolution process. Polluted sediments may act as a secondary pollution source for the marine environment. 4 Table 1. Seasonal variation of trace metal concentrations (j.g.mI') fal Concentration ( yig-ail") Stations Senson Th Tm cr Tin Te tr Premansoon Tas] 0.295 Bo] oat | aos) oat ME1 [Monsoon 0.389 | 0.675, 107 | 0671 | 13.72 | 0310 Post-monsoon 214 | 0.393, ooss_| oss | os6 | 0212 Pre-monsoon DI] 0.199] 0.203 | 00ss | osox | x19] 027 ME2 — [Monsoon 0.337 | ass | o28a | oo72 | 052s | sss | 204 Past-monsoon 0.108 o2s1_| 071 104 Pre-monsoon oat a ME3 | Monsoon 0.283 ox7 | oor 302 Post-monsoan 0.213 098 _| 0.007 40) Pre-monsoon ‘O07 ‘O077 | 0.002 747 ME-+ — [Monsoon 0.319 oss | oss vans Post-mansoon 0.078 6 0,003 24 Pre-mous00n 0.120] 0.295 310] 0.079] 0.408] has] OT MES [Monsoon 0179 | os 0243 | oso | asis | ti.o6 | ots Post-monsoon 0.234 | 0.136 o.1s2_| 0.003 _| ossi | sox | 0 Pre-mvons00" wa9s | OT Ca a Mes — [Monsoon ons | 0.174 0.308 | 0.012 | 0216 | sr | ons Post-monscon 0207 | 0.082 _| o.o71 | 0201 | no oais | 217_|_ nse Pre-nronsaon Di] oan | 0.227 | o2an | ost. oata | iim] Oats ME? — [Monsoon 0.193 | 0.207 | 0s20 | 0.177 | 0.094 | asso | ziy | ots Postsmonsoon 0122 | ois | 0262 | otos | oss | 0226 | 2.96 | v.16s Pro-mansno 0.190] 0-217 Ts] a.os | asa] as | oT MES |Monsoon oto: | 0.079 | 0.124 | 0.091 | 007 | o2s4 | soy | aioe Post-mansoun 0.094 | 0.17 | 0.123 | o.063_|_ 0.001 018 Pre-monsoon 7250 | osIs | O2eN | 0.00T | 0.088 ware mes {Monsoon 0.187 0.339 0.005 0.150 Post-monsoon O78. o.n19 0.001 o.101 Pre-monsoan TORT Ds O08 TAT ME-10 [Monsoon D.085 0.190 0.022 Postemonsoon Dora 0,099 0.076 RD = Nov actectble 1087 Table 2. Seasonal variation of trace metal concentrations (ug.g") in sediment samples of the GBM estuary. Pre-monsoon | 10456 | 211A) ts095 [oar | 1 Boa17 | 20.662 Monsoon 20.695 | 26.086 assis | 0.840 985.25] 27.513 Post-monsoon | 11.451 | 19.308 15.209 | 0.633 911.04] 24.001 Pre-monsoom 2007 | 20385 2 0.329 353.78] 16.675 Monsoon 19.010 24as2 | 0.551 693.71] 18.091 Post-monsoon 20.071 2 0491 805.41] 18.125 Pre-monsoon jo | 10.966 5833 | 396.28] 28.717 Monsoon 14.171 0ss2 13.139 | 510.32} 25.101 Post-monsoon 4s 12.922 | 652.32] 27.565 re-monsoun ‘O57 2 ‘0038 ‘O77. Monsoon 6.180 6 0.087 591.55 Post-monsoon 10.225 0.076 615.09 Pre-monsoon 7 | 20.182 0.094 90469] 18.090 Monsoon 5 23.615 Ons 040.13] 11.030 Post-monsoon 19.795 9. 0.105 991.75] 21.071 Pre-monsoon 3059 | 6511 25 765.42 ‘Monsoon 3303 | 10245 5 | 875.90 Posi-monsoon | 2.175 2, 838.32 Pre-monsoon 775 391 Monsoon 5 s 24.324 Post-monsoon 1 23.657 Pre-monsoon 0595 | 3156 | oaas | 2. 0.087 2098S Monsoon 1.360 oasis | 46 6.103 12.137 Post-monsoon 1425 0.405 072 6171 Pre-monsoon T0856 | Oa56 10.03] 15.760 Monsoon 14.001 4am [0276 | 10119 | s4sas} 14.713 Post-monsoon 7.821 7 | s60s }a419 | 16.500 | 560.01} 12.965 Pre-monsoon Th07s Tasas Monsoon 18.831 Is74 Post-monsoon 15.290 20.022 Copper is an essential element for all living organisms. It enters in aquatic environment through industrial effluents containing CuSO, used in metal plating and finishing operation and also from river run-off, domestic wastes, shipping activities, etc. In the present study Cu concentrations were recorded from 0.024 to 0.344 jg.mI' in water and 0.595 to 20.695 ig.g"' in sediment samples, which is more or less similar with Presley ef al. (1992), Morse ef al. (1993), Khan and Mehedi (1994) and Khan and Rahman (1994) but lower than Verma et al. (1993). 109Seasonal fluctuation of Cu content was irregular which might be due to regeneration of organic matter with which Cu forms soluble and insoluble metal chelates. Lead appears ubiquitous in aquatic ecosystem. Pb concentrations were recorded from 0.012 to 0.431 wtg.ml'! in water and 2.355 to 26.086 g.g"' in sediment samples which are remarkably similar to Abdullah and Royle (1974), Shen ef al. (1989), Apte er al. (1990), Chowdhury er al. (1994), Khan and Talukder (1995), Baker and Harris (1991) and Subramanian er al, (1988). Seasonal variation of Pb content was low to moderate in the estuary as the environment of the estuary was affected by Pb containing wastes from industrial and navigational discharges, which has no schedule of dumping. The higher concentrations might be harmful for the water quality as well as for the aquatic organisms. Zine plays an important role in the environment as a micro-nutrient required for plant growth. Zn concentrations were always uniform and lower in all the stations viz. 0. 071 to 0.675 tg.m!'! in water and 0.215 to 4.258 ptg.g"' in sediment samples. In Bangladesh, Zn deficiency has been reported in paddy and other fields and fruit crops (BRRI, 1980; Rahman, 1980; Rahman et al.,1983). This low concentration of Zn in the sediment possibly indicates that non-detrital source is not in the sediment and the sediment derived from silicious materials. Behaviour of nickel in estuarine and coastal water is mostly conservative (Windom et al., 1988). Ni concentrations were recorded from 0.001 to 0.339 g.mI" in water and 0.552 to 25.515 ug.g’' in sediment samples showing a regular pattern in three seasons because of its conservative characteristics, maintained by transferring from particulate to di most of the stations higher concentration of Ni was found during monsoon due to sudden rainfall followed by high river discharge from upstream environment. ved phase which was observed by Chiffoleau e7 al. (1994). In Cadmium is regarded as a priority pollutant because of its toxicity to o: the aquatic environment. Cd concentrations were recorded from 0.001 to 0.107 tg.ml"' in water and 0.030 to 0.840 ug.g'' in sediment samples which are almost similar with Khan and Mehedi (1994), Khan and Talukder (1995) and Sin er al. (1991). Chowdhury ef al. (1994) studied dissolved Cd along the coast of Chittagong and Cox's Bazar, which are lower in comparison with the present study. This difference in Cd concentration is due to total detection in the present investigation and partial detection by Chowdhury et al. (1994). The higher level 110might be due to river run-off from upstream agricultural fields where Cd containing phosphate fertilizers are used. Discharge of untreated sewage with recent deposits of organic and fine grain sediments along with local fishing and other anthropogenic activities are also responsible for higher concentration. Manganese is an element of low toxicity and has considerable biological significance. It is one of the more biochemical and active transition metals in aquatic environment. Mn concentrations in the investigated area were more or less similar in all the three seasons viz. 0.191 to 0.671 ug.ml ‘in water and 5.877 to 25.005 ug.g’' in sediment samples which indicated homogenous distribution. Generally mining and industrial discharges act as great source of Mn and these sources are not available around the study area. Iron has frequently been used as an indicator of natural changes in the trace metal carrying capacity of the sediment and its concentration has sometimes been related to the abundance of metal reactive compounds supposedly not significantly affected by man’s action (Luoma, 1990). Fe concentrations were recorded as 1.16 to 12.72 iug-ml'! in water and 345.45 to 991.75 |ig.g' in sediment samples. Seasonal fluctuation of Fe concentrations was lower as the estuary received more or less similar quantities of wastes from fishing, shipping, industrial and urban activities Khan and Mehedi (1994) studied pollution status of the Foujderhat coast, Chittagong and found higher concentration of Fe. Their finding was high due to discharge of metal rust (iron) and various types of refuge and disposable materials from the scrap ships. Concentration of Cr in sea water may regulate its uptake, accumulation and toxicity to marine organisms. Indiscriminate rise and fall of Cr concentration were observed. among the three seasons. In the present study Cr concentrations varied from 0.015 to 0.491 pg.mI in water and 6.171 to 33.911 Ug.g" in sediment samples which might be due to the disposal of various refuse materials (lubricants, oil residue floatable grease balls, etc) from ships, tankers, mechanized boats, trawlers, etc as well as Cr-enriched metallic compounds from tanneries and other sources. Total Cr concentrations in water of Pacific Ocean and Gulf of Mexico were reported by Nakayama ef al. (1981) and Guthrie et al. (1979) respectively which are in well agreement with the present study. The concentration of Cr in sediment of Ganges estuary and Veller estuary of India were reported by Subramanian e/ al. ( 1988) and Mohanachandran (1986) respectively which are almost similar to the present study. int5. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS The environmental conditions of both developing and developed countries are now loosing its natural quality by means of several polluting substances viz. industrial effluents, agro-chemical residues, municipal wastes and radioactive elements. Comparison of data on the metal concentrations in sediments from climatological latitudes and the data of the present study (Table 3) leads to the following conclusions. The concentrations of copper compared with the levels measured in sediments from most other climatological regions, but were considerably lower than in sediments from the Java Sea, Singapore estuary, North Sea and River Tees of United Kingdom. Zinc concentrations were among the lowest values measured in marine environments of various latitudes, with maximum values still 5-600 times lower. The highest concentrations of cadmium compared with the maximum values found in sediments from the Singapore estuary, being about 4-10 order of magnitude lower than in sediments from Port Said (Egypt), Gulf of Thailand and Baltic Sea. Iron concentrations showed a very wide range, but were considerably lower than in sediments from Ganges estuary and north-east Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh coast. Table 3. Comparison of trace metal concentrations (\1g.g'') in sediment of various estuaries, seas and oceans. arious: Exvavine, Java Seu St S46 Sauza So Everauns 1989 |‘This study of trace metals in water and sediment from the GBM estuary shows that water and sediments exhibit reducing conditions. Compared with other climatological latitudes most of the values found in the estuary are much lower. The Jocal activities seem not to cause serious trace metal pollution in the estuarine environment. The strong accumulation of trace metals results in low concentrations in water and high concentrations in sediments. A much more extensive sampling and analysis programme would be required to document subtle enrichment in trace metals in water and sediments such as the ones in the study area. Continuous environmental monitoring, surveillance and vigilance should be undertaken in the coastal and estuarine areas. Formulation of e! ctive legislation's on industrial policy is essential incorporating Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) before approving a project, pollutant discharge permit system, standard limits for pollution and stringent penalty provision, which is important to the need for economic and social development as well as environmental protection. Sewage treatment plant should be installed and rural sanitation system must be developed introducing local technology. 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