New York Science Journal, 2011;4(9) http://www.sciencepub.net/newyork 66 Quantification Study of Toxic Heavy Metal Pollutants in Sediment Samples Collected From Kasardi River Flowing Along the Taloja Industrial Area of Mumbai, India R.S.Lokhande 1 , P.U.Singare 2 , D.S.Pimple 3 1. Department of Chemistry, University of Mumbai, Santacruz, Vidyanagari, Mumbai 400 098, India 2. Department of Chemistry, Bhavan’s College, Munshi Nagar, Andheri (West), Mumbai 400058, India 3. Department of Chemistry, R.J. College, Ghatkopar, Mumbai 400 086, India pravinsingare@gmail.com Abstract: The present paper deals with quantification study of some toxic heavy metals in the sediment samples of Kasardi River flowing along the Taloja Industrial belt of Mumbai. The results indicates high level of pollution due to toxic heavy metals like chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), lead (Pb) and iron (Fe). The concentration of all these heavy metals were found to be much above the acute toxicity level. It is feared that these metals may enter the food chain through bio-magnification there by creating threat to aquatic life and the surrounding population. The results of the present investigation point out the need to implement common objectives, compatible policies and programmes for improvement in the industrial waste water treatment methods. [R.S.Lokhande, P.U.Singare, D.S.Pimple. Quantification Study of Toxic Heavy Metals Pollutants in Sediment Samples Collected From Kasardi River Flowing Along the Taloja Industrial Area of Mumbai, India. New York Science Journal 2011;4(9):66-71]. (ISSN: 1554-0200). http://www.sciencepub.net/newyork . Key words: Heavy metals; pollution; sediments; industrial effluent; Kasardi River; Taloja Industrial Area; Mumbai; India 1. Introduction With the increased use of a wide variety of metals in industries and in our daily life, there is now a greater awareness of toxic metal pollution of the environment. Many of these metals tend to remain in the ecosystem and eventually move from one compartment to the other within the food chain. Food chain contamination by heavy metals has become a burning issue in recent years because of their potential accumulation in biosystems through contaminated water, soil and air (Lokhande and Kelkar, 1999). These toxic metals not only pollute the creek waters but also pose a threat to the aquatic biota (Aghor, 2007; Patil, 2009). The increase in residue levels of heavy metal content in water, sediments and biota, will result in decreased productivity (Lokhande and Kelkar, 1999) and increase in health risk in case of human beings (Kazi et al. 2009, Gbaruko et al., 2008; Ember, 1975; Sunderman, 1959; Cai, 2009; Pokhrel, 2009). For better understanding of heavy metal sources, their accumulation in the sediment and in water seem to be particularly important issues of present day research on risk assessments (Sharma et al., 2004). In hydrosphere, toxic metal concentrations are typically orders of magnitude greater in the sediments as compared to those in overlying waters. The capacity of the soil and sediments to concentrate trace levels of most of the metals make them useful indicators for monitoring purposes and for detecting sources of pollution in the aquatic system. Therefore the analysis of soil and sediment cores may provide a historical record of the heavy metal burdens. Although some heavy and trace metallic elements are important for proper functioning of biological systems, their deficiency or excess could lead to a number of disorders (Ward, 1995). There is considerable concern about the human health aspects of metal cycling in polluted coastal and inland waters that are in proximity to large population centres. With the ever increasing pace of industrialization in Maharashtra state, the price of industrial development is heavily borne by most of aquatic bodies in the state. A report of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) shows that Maharashtra state has the largest number of polluted river water stretches in the country. According to experts, along with the unchecked industrial pollution, the rapid pace of urbanisation has contributed to the pollution of water in the country (Zingde and Govindan, 2001; Modak et al., 1990; Rajaram and Das, 2008; Khurshid et al., 1998; Pachpande and Ingle, 2004; Prabha and Selvapathy, 1997; Singare et al., 2010a; Singare et al., 2011a; Singare et al., 2011b; Singare et al., 2010b; MPCB, 2004). Among the pollutants entering in the aquatic environment, the toxic heavy metals are creating more serious environmental problem owing to their non bio- degradable nature, accumulative properties and long biological half lives. It is also difficult to remove them completely from the environment once they enter into it. Due to their particle reactivity, metals tend to accumulate in sediments, and, as a result, may persist in the environment long after their primary source has been removed. These toxic metals are not necessarily fixed by the sediments permanently, but may be