Concentration of some heavy metals in Almeda Textile Factory wastewater and the nearby stream waters

Abstract

Almeda textile factory has discharged its wastewater into the nearby streams. However, very limited report available on the concentration levels of the heavy metals in the wastewater, and no study has been carried out on the nearby streams. Therefore, concentration levels of cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), manganese (Mn), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) in Almeda textile factory wastewater and the nearby stream waters were estimated using a Varian AA240FS Fast Sequential Atomic Absorption Spectrometer. The study revealed that the average concentrations (ppm) of Cd (0.02), Pb (0.20), and Mn (0.60) in the wastewater were higher than the maximum permissible limits. On the other hand, the average concentrations (ppm) of Co (0.02), Cu (0.21), Fe (1.20), Cr (0.02), Ni (0.03), and Zn (0.20) were lower than the limits. Similarly, the average concentrations (ppm) of Cd (0.02) and Mn (0.05 - 0.28) in the nearby stream waters were higher than the limits; however, the average concentrations (ppm) of Co (0.03 - 0.04), Cr (0.02 - 0.04), Cu (0.08 - 0.09), Fe (0.06 - 0.20), Ni (0.03 - 0.09), Pb (0.02 - 0.07), and Zn (0.04 - 0.09) were lower than the limits. Because the heavy metals are non-biodegradable, continuous discharge of a large amount of Almeda textile factory wastewater in to the surrounding can result their accumulation in the environment. Therefore, periodic assessment of the heavy metals in the nearby streams should be carried out.