~ 510 ~
Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies 2017; 5(5): 510-512
E-ISSN: 2320-7078
P-ISSN: 2349-6800
JEZS 2017; 5(5): 510-512
© 2017 JEZS
Received: 17-07-2017
Accepted: 18-08-2017
Khalid Usman
Department of Zoology, Hazara
University, Mansehra, Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
Zaib UN Nisa
College of Earth and
Environmental Sciences,
University of the Punjab Lahore,
Pakistan.
Shabina Gul
College of Earth and
Environmental Sciences,
University of the Punjab Lahore,
Pakistan.
Safia Gul
Department of Botany, SBK
Women University Quetta,
Balochistan, Pakistan
Hameed Ur Rehman
Department of Chemistry, Kohat
University of Science &
Technology, Pakistan.
Muhammad Asad
Department of Chemistry, Kohat
University of Science &
Technology, Pakistan.
Muhammad Waqar
Department of Chemistry, Kohat
University of Science &
Technology, Pakistan.
Kaleem Ullah
Department of Botany, Bacha
Khan University Charsada
Pakistan.
Hafiz Khuzama Ishaq
Department of Environmental
Scinces, University of Gujrat,
Pakistan.
Corresponding
Hameed Ur Rehman
Department of Chemistry, Kohat
University of Science &
Technology, Pakistan.
Contamination of Heavy metals in River Shah
Alam Peshawar: (A tributary of River Kabul)
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan
Khalid Usman, Zaib-un-Nisa, Shabina Gul, Safia Gul, Hameed Ur
Rehman, Muhammad Asad, Muhammad Waqar, Kaleem Ullah and Hafiz
Khuzama Ishaq
Abstract
The present survey was carried out to find out the amount of heavy metals in the River Kabul Shah Alam
tributary, Peshawar. The selected heavy metals were (Zn, Cu, Cd, Pb, Cr and Mn) were analyzed by
Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The concentration of the heavy metals were Zn 1.2-2.0 ppm; Cu
0.17-1.48 ppm; Cd 0.2-0.69 ppm; Pb 1.01-1.23 ppm; Cr 0.04-2.01 ppm and Mn 0.01-0.82 ppm
respectively. In this analysis only Cu, Cd, Pb and Cr found above the permissible limits. From this
research it can be concluded that almost tanneries waste were added to this station.
Keywords: River, Kabul, Shah Alam, Peshawar, Heavy Metals, analysis, ppm.
1. Introduction
Trace elements are chemical elements that are required in a very minute amount for the proper
growth, development and human physiology. They are called heavy metals because their
densities greater than 5g/cm
3
[provide reference]. However, these essential trace elements be-
come poisonous when their concentration becomes extreme
[1]
. These elements have attracted
particular consideration in the recent two decades and within the framework of environmental
investigation. Pollution of the natural environment by trace elements is a worldwide problem.
These metals are indestructible because of their resistance to decomposition in natural
condition
[2]
. Therefore, monitoring these metals is utmost necessary for safety assessment of
the environment and human health in particular. Biologically or chemically these metals
cannot be degraded, and thus may either accumulate locally or be transported over long
distance
[3]
. Pollution of the environment by heavy metals is very prominent in areas of mining
sites and reduces increasing distance away from these sites. Another contribution of
anthropogenic metals of terrestrial origin is from industrial development and other activities
such as agriculture, metallurgy and transport
[4, 5]
. From mining activities, ground water is most
vigorously polluted. The aim of the current research work was to find out the contamination of
heavy metals in River Shah Alam Peshawar: (A tributary of River Kabul) Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan.
2. Materials and Methods
Study Area
River Shah Alam is a tributary of River Kabul Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Sampling was
carried out from three sites away from one another 100 meter as shown in the (Fig. 1). This
River is contaminated by various resources like domesticated sewage, Industrial discharges,
Ganda Erab and Budni Nalla. Besides all these contaminating factors River Naguman sewages
discharge into the River Sha Alam.