extraction of heavy metal concentration in ganga river ... · the river which joins the alaknanda...

*Corresponding Author www.ijesr.org 563

IJESR/October 2013/ Vol-3/Issue-10/563-572 e-ISSN 2277-2685, p-ISSN 2320-9763

International Journal of Engineering & Science Research

EXTRACTION OF HEAVY METAL CONCENTRATION IN GANGA RIVER, THROUGH

LOTUS AND EDTA

Amrita Srivastava*1, Shikha Modi

1, Sunil Kumar

1

1Department of Environmental Engineering, Jagan Nath University, Jaipur (Raj), India.

ABSTRACT

A preliminary investigation of heavy metal pollution in the Ganga River in Kanpur with the focus on phytoremediation

with chemical was conducted. Nelumbo nucifera chosen for treatment due to their wide distribution and apparent ability

to accumulate heavy metals in aquatic ecosystems. This process also enhanced by a chemical used that is EDTA known

as Chelating agent. In this Experiment this is clear Aquatic Plants are good absorber of heavy Metals from Waste water

and some Chemicals also helped in this process.

Keywords: EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid), Nelumbo Nucifera (lotus), Chelating agent.

INTRODUCTION

Ganga flows southeast through the Indian states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal. In central Bangladesh it is

joined by the Brahmaputra and Meghna rivers. Their combined waters (called the Padma River) empty into the Bay of

Bengal and form a delta 220 mi (354 km) wide, which is shared by India and Bangladesh. It’s plain is one of the most

fertile and densely populated regions in the world [1]. In the Uttarakhand Himalayas, where glacial water flowing from a

cave at Gaumukh, is the origin of the Bhagirathi river. Gaumukh has been described as a desolate place at an altitude of

about 4,000 meters (13,000 feet). Twenty-three kilometres from Gaumukh, the river reaches Gangotri, the first town on

its path. Thousands of visitors come to Gangotri each year, from every part of the world [6]. The river which joins the

Alaknanda river at Devaprayag, also in the Uttarakhand Himalayas, to form the Ganga.

The Ganges alone drains an area of over a million square km with a population of over 407 million. Millions depend on

water from the holy river for several things: drinking, bathing, agriculture, industry and other household chores [5].

After flowing 250 kilometres (160 mi) through its narrow Himalayan valley, the Ganges emerges from the mountains at

Rishikesh, then debouches onto the Gangetic Plain at the pilgrimage town of Haridwar. At Haridwar, a dam diverts some

of its waters into the Ganges Canal, which irrigates the Doab region of Uttar Pradesh, whereas the river, whose course

has been roughly southwest until this point, now begins to flow southeast through the plains of northern India.

The Ganges Basin with its fertile soil is instrumental to the agricultural economies of India and Bangladesh. The Ganges

and its tributaries provide a perennial source of irrigation to a large area [14]. Chief crops cultivated in the area include

rice, sugarcane, lentils, oil seeds, potatoes, and wheat. Along the banks of the river, the presence of swamps and lakes

provide a rich growing area for crops such as legumes, chillies, mustard, sesame, sugarcane, and jute. There are also

many fishing opportunities to many along the river, though it remains highly polluted. Kanpur, largest leather producing

city in the world is situated on the banks of this river [2].

The major polluting industries on the Ganga are the leather industries, especially near Kanpur, which use large

amounts of chromium and other toxic chemical waste, and much of it finds its way into the major flow of the

Ganga. From the plains to the sea, pharmaceutical companies, electronics plants, textile and paper industries, tanneries,

fertilizer manufacturers and oil refineries discharge effluent into the river. This hazardous waste includes hydrochloric

acid, mercury and other heavy metals, bleaches and dyes, pesticides, and polychlorinated biphenyls highly toxic

compounds that accumulate in animal and human tissue.

The tanning industry discharges different types of waste into the environment, primarily in the form of liquid effluents

containing organic matters, chromium, sulphide ammonium and other salts.


Copyright © 2013 Published by IJESR. All rights reserved 564

The main purpose of this paper is to introduce a method of extraction of heavy metals from the waste water by the help of

biological and chemical methods.

EXPERIMENTAL

Water samples collected from two sampling sites

1. Industrial Area of Jajmau (a) sample from river bank (b) sample from mid stream.

2. Non Industrial area Bithoor (a) sample from river bank (b) sample from mid stream.

All water samples were brought to the laboratory and preserved with HNO3 for the analysis of heavy metals water

samples were digested with 10ml of concentrated HNO3 until the solution become transparent. For the estimation of

metals 100ml of water sample was digested with concentrated nitric acid (10 ml), cooled and filtered through Whatman

No. 42 filter paper. The volume was made upto 10 ml with 0.1N nitric acid. The samples were analyzed by AAS. For

the extraction of heavy metals from the water used plant that is Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) applied in the sample for the

20 days after 20 days sample were analysed and assessed about the reduction of heavy metals by the lotus

(phytoremediation process). After this analysis a chelating agent EDTA used for the increasing rate of absorption of

heavy metal . 1 gm/l EDTA used in every sample already going on phytoremediation process. After 20 days of addition

of chelating agent sample was again analyzed.

RESULT & DISCUSSION

The quality of Ganga water in kanpur is mainly affected by industries residing on the bank of river .and other domestic

wastes released from the commercial area of kanpur. Heavy metals released from Industries mainly tanneries where it

used for the manufacturing of leather goods. Heavy metals seriously injured metabolism of living beings. In many

researches it proves that the people residing on the river bank just nearer to Industries seriously affected by diseases

caused by heavy metals.

Sampling site-

1. Sample from River bank of Industrial Area (A1)

2. Sample from mid stream of River (Industrial Area (B1)

3. Sample from River bank of Commercial Area (A2)

4. Sample from mid stream of River of Commercial Area (Bithoor) (B2).

Table 1: Heavy Metal Concentration (microgram/l)

S.No. Heavy Metal Before Absorption(microgram/l)

Industrial area Commercial

Area

A1 B1 A2 B2

1 Zn 210 225 55 60

2 Pb 690 700 100 102

3 Cd 32 36 18 20

4 Cu 110 115 50 51

The chart shows the concentration of heavy metals in Ganga river in Kanpur (U.P. India). The above data also helps to

show the difference in concentration of heavy metals from mid stream to river bank of water, there is small difference in

mid stream and river bank sample of same sampling site but there is a great fluctuation assessed from the sampling site

near industrial area and the sampling site apart from industrial area. This result may be shown because of the waste

discharge from the industries is untreated and this may alter the quality of river water.

IJESR/October 2013/ Vol-3/Issue-10/563

Copyright © 2013 Published by IJESR. All rights reserved

Fig1: Heavy metals in Industrial area and commercial area

Table 2: Heavy Metal Concentration (microgram/l) and treatment with plant Lotus

S.No.

Heavy metal

Industrial Area

(River Bank)A1 Befo

re

Absorptio

n

Lotus)

1 Zn 210 200

2 Pb 690 650

3 Cd 32 26

4 Cu 110 90

0100200300400500600700800

A1

Industrial area

Heavy Metal Concentration

10/563-572 e-ISSN 2277-2685, p


Heavy metals in Industrial area and commercial area

Table 2: Heavy Metal Concentration (microgram/l) and treatment with plant Lotus

Industrial Area

(River Bank)

Industrial Area

(Mid Stream)

Commercial

Area(River Bank)

Commercial

Area(Mid Stream)A11

Afte

r

Absorptio

n

(by

Lotus)

B1 Befo

re

Absorptio

n

B11

Afte

r

Absorptio

n

(by

Lotus)

A2 Befo

re

Absorptio

n

A22

Afte

r

Absorptio

n

(by

Lotus)

200 225 210 55

50

60

650 700 680 100

90

102

26 36 32 18

16

20

90 115 93 50 42 51

Fig 2: Absorption of Zn by Lotus

A1 B1 A2 B2

Industrial area Commercial Area

Before Absorption(microgram/l)

Heavy Metal Concentration

(microgram/l)

Zn

Pb

Cd

Cu

2685, p-ISSN 2320-9763

565

Commercial

Area(Mid Stream) B2 Befo

re

Absorptio

n

B22

Afte

r

Absorptio

n

(by

Lotus)

60 55

102 92

20 17

51 44

Zn

Pb

Cd

Cu



Fig 3: Absorption of Pb by Lotus

Fig 4: Absorption of Cd by Lotus

Fig 5: Absorption of Cu by Lotus



Table 3: Heavy Metal Concentration (microgram/l) and treatment with plant and chemical (Plant used

chemical used EDTA)

S.No.

Heavy metal

Industrial Area (River

Bank)

A1

Befo

re

Absorptio

n

A11

After

Absorptio

n

(by

Lotus)

A10 After

usin

g

EDTA

1 Zn 210 200 195

2 Pb 690 650 600

3 Cd 32 26 22

4 Cu 110 90 80

10/563-572 e-ISSN 2277-2685, p


Table 3: Heavy Metal Concentration (microgram/l) and treatment with plant and chemical (Plant used

Industrial Area (River Industrial Area (Mid

Stream)

Commercial Area

(River Bank)

A10 After

usin

g

B1

Befo

re

Absorptio

n

B11

After

Absorptio

n

(by

Lotus)

B10 After

usin

g

EDTA

A2 Befo

re

Absorptio

n

A22

After

Absorptio

n

(by

Lotus)

A20 After

usin

g

EDTA

Absorptio

n

225 210 200 55

50

42

700 680 610 100

90

80

36 32 28 18

16

12

115 93 85 50 42 32

Fig 6: Absorption of Zn by EDTA

2685, p-ISSN 2320-9763

567

Table 3: Heavy Metal Concentration (microgram/l) and treatment with plant and chemical (Plant used Lotus and

Commercial Area(Mid

Stream)

B2 Befo

re

Absorptio

n

B22

After

Absorptio

n

(by

Lotus)

B20 After

usin

g

EDTA

60 55 43

102 92 83

20 17 14

51 44 36



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Fig 7: Absorption of Pb by EDTA

Fig 8: Absorption of Cd by Lotus

2685, p-ISSN 2320-9763

568



Fig 9: Absorption of Pb by Lotus

The above data shows the different concentration of heavy metal in Industrial area and commercial area. this above data

also shows the rate of absorption of plant applied in both industrial sample water as well as the commercial water sample

in next step a chemical used which is known as a chelating agent that is EDTA, here we have seen EDTA with plant

increase the rate of absorption reaction. This is a positive response for the waste water treatment process

Table 4: Average (samples collected from River bank and mid stream in both sampling site): C= samples from

river bank+ mid stream

S.No Heavy

Metal

Industrial Area

Commercial Area

Before

Absorption

After

Absorption

(by Lotus)

After

using

EDTA

Before

Absorption

After

Absorption

(by Lotus)

After

using

EDTA

C1 C11 C10 C2 C22 C20

1 Zn 217 205 198 58 53 42

2 Pb 695 675 605 101 91 81

3 Cd 34 29 25 19 16 12

4 Cu 113 91 83 50 43 34



Fig10: Absorption chart of Heavy metals in Industrial area and commercial area

The above diagram shows the concentration of heavy metal present in to samples taken from Indusrial area of Kanpur

and Commercial area of Kanpur and both samples are treated by Nilumbo nucifera (Lotus) in first step which shows a

great response in absorption of heavy metals. Lotus is a ornamental plant and also used for the worship of god but it

shows a great response in absorption of le

applied with a chemical that is EDTA the above diagram shows how EDTA helps to increase the rate of absorption

reaction.

CONCLUSION

Above result shows the industries lying in to Kanpur is very much responsible for the heavy metal concentration found in

Ganga river water. There is also difference found in concentration of metal from river bank to mid stream but this is not

very much excessive this assessed difference is very much nominal. Heavy metals in water cause many serious

biochemical problems in human being.

This experiment was done for the better extraction of heavy metals by the help of plant into the water as well

here the result shows ornamental plants having great capability to metal extraction from the waste water. Some

chemicals are used as a chelating agent they also increase the rate of reaction EDTA is one of them it works just as a

chelating agent and also increases the rate of absorption of heavy metals in waste water so that with the help of this

experiment we conclude that ornamental plants having great efficiency for heavy metal extraction if industries plants

such kind of plants in their waste disposal sites its very effective the extraction of heavy metals from the waste released

from the industries as well as it gives a great look to the industries.

Here the Ornamental plant used that is lotus and lotus is a aquatic plant it mostly used

characters. The bushes of lotus having spaces and these spaces helps to plant for transportation of material such as food

and water whenever it applied in waste water these bushes also translocate the Heavy Metal

the sample the rate of absorption increases and translocation of heavy metal increased from there normal rate.

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

C1 C11

Before

Absorption

After

Absorption

(by Lotus)

10/563-572 e-ISSN 2277-2685, p


Absorption chart of Heavy metals in Industrial area and commercial area


of Kanpur and both samples are treated by Nilumbo nucifera (Lotus) in first step which shows a


shows a great response in absorption of lead from the water sample the performance of lotus is also increased whenever it


CONCLUSION




This experiment was done for the better extraction of heavy metals by the help of plant into the water as well



gent and also increases the rate of absorption of heavy metals in waste water so that with the help of this


waste disposal sites its very effective the extraction of heavy metals from the waste released

from the industries as well as it gives a great look to the industries.

Here the Ornamental plant used that is lotus and lotus is a aquatic plant it mostly used in the worship and having a bushy


and water whenever it applied in waste water these bushes also translocate the Heavy Metal and when


C10 C2 C22 C20

After

Absorption

(by Lotus)

After using

EDTA

Before

Absorption

After

Absorption

(by Lotus)

After using

EDTA

2685, p-ISSN 2320-9763

570

Absorption chart of Heavy metals in Industrial area and commercial area


of Kanpur and both samples are treated by Nilumbo nucifera (Lotus) in first step which shows a


ad from the water sample the performance of lotus is also increased whenever it





This experiment was done for the better extraction of heavy metals by the help of plant into the water as well as soil also



gent and also increases the rate of absorption of heavy metals in waste water so that with the help of this


waste disposal sites its very effective the extraction of heavy metals from the waste released

in the worship and having a bushy


and when EDTA applied in


C20

After using

EDTA

Zn

Pb

Cd

Cu



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extraction of heavy metal concentration in ganga river ... · the river which joins the alaknanda...

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