Chapter One

Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study

Bangladesh is a densely populated developing country. Both industrialization and geological
sources have caused widespread heavy metal and metalloid pollution in Bangladesh, which is
now posing substantial threats to the local people. Water is the most valuable and vital resource
for the existence of life and also for any developmental activity. About 80% of the earth surface
covered with water. Out of the estimated 1,011 million km3 of the total water present on the
earth, only 33,400 m3 of water is available for drinking, agriculture, domestic and industrial
consumption (Dara, 2007). Bangladesh is a low-lying flat country with big inland water bodies,
including some of the biggest rivers in the world and is extremely vulnerable because of its
geographical characteristics (Matin and Kamal, 2010). The increasing urbanization and
industrialization of Bangladesh have negative implications for water quality where the industrial
effluents directly discharge into the rivers without any consideration of the environment (BCAS,
2000). There has been a growing concern over the possible contamination of soils, sediments and
water systems around many of the industrial areas of the countries (Chowdhury et al., 2007).
Huge quantities of industrial effluents, solid waste from river-side settlements, petroleum
products from ships, launches, cargoes, boats, untreated sewage etc. regularly get dumped into
the Buriganga, Turag, Balu and Shitalakshya rivers, which are already severely polluted (Khan et
al., 2007). The surface water along these peripheral rivers of Dhaka city is known to be highly
polluted due to municipal and industrial untreated waste waters that are discharged into these
rivers (Kamal et al., 1999; Karn and Harada, 2001).

Tongi Industrial Area, a township in Gazipur, Bangladesh, one of the nearby towns of Savar,
features a BSCIC industrial area, which produces BDT 1500 crore of industrial products
annually. Tongi is one of the most important industrial sectors of Bangladesh. There are several
types of industrial units including aluminum factory, textile and dyeing, pharmaceutical industry,
cosmetics industry, machine tools factory, diesel plant, security printing press, ordnance factory,
ceramics factory, packaging industry, brick field, cloth garments etc. From the different
industrial zones of the district contamination of water and soils by various metallic and non-
metallic chemicals are very common. These substances undergo different chemical and
biochemical interaction in the land and deteriorate both water and soil quality to the surrounding
areas. Soils of the world have been degraded and contaminated by various anthropogenic
activities that change the physical, chemical and biological properties of soil; resulting in nutrient
deficiency, soil toxicity, improper soil and crop management, alteration of agricultural lands and
also human and animal health hazard through the food chain (Tu et al., 2000; Dahmani-Mueller
et al., 2001; McGrath et al., 2002; Rahman et al., 2012; Adegoke, 2009). Industrial discharge of
untreated or partially treated effluents directly into surrounding agricultural lands is considered
as the most significant anthropogenic activity responsible for soil pollution by various pollutants
like heavy metals such as Cd, Cu, Zn, Cr, Ni, Pb and Mn (Islam et al., 2012; Jolly et al., 2012;
Yadav et al., 2002). Agricultural crops can also be injured, ranged from visible markings on the
foliage to premature death of the plants, when exposed to high concentrations of pollutants
(Gheorghe and Ion, 2012).

Bangladesh has now more than 30,000 industrial units of which about 900 are large polluting
industries, which discharging heavily toxic effluents directly into the adjacent soils (Nuruzzaman
et al., 1998). Approximately 30 million gallons of untreated industrial waste water effluent are
mixing daily with our environment mainly with water and soil (Jolly et al., 2012). Among them,
around 600-700 textile, dyeing and glass industries have been set up around Dhaka at
Narayangonj, Tejgaon, Savar, Tongi, Gazipur and Tangail areas during the last few years (Khan,
2006). The contamination by heavy metals causes a serious problem and threaten to human
health and problems associated with long-term heavy metal exposures causes eventually death
(Rahman et al., 2012).

Tongi is situated at the northern border of Dhaka and most of the factory is located in Tongi area.
It is one of the biggest Industrial areas in Northern Bangladesh. It originates from the Bangshi
River. The Turag flows through Gazipur district and joins the Buriganga at Mirpur in Dhaka
district. The Tongi Khal links the Turag with the Balu River (Choudhury and Choudhury, 2004).
The entire regime of the Turag is almost a semi-funnel shaped basin and its catchment is located
on the central and southern part of the Madhupur tract and flows from north to south within the
basin and its length is about 40 miles and 15 miles in wide to the maximum. The average width
and depth of the Turag river are about 218m and 13.5m respectively. It has a total area of 386
square miles (Uddin, 2005). This industrial area possesses about 29 heavy different categorized
industries. Most of the industries discharge their effluents directly or indirectly into the Turag
river without any treatment causing pollution of the surface water and the soil. Many sewerage
and municipal sewage drainage system, alongside the river have become a dumping ground of all
kinds of solid, liquid and chemical waste that polluted the river bank. Both organic and inorganic
waste effluents that are discharged into the Turag River water adversely interacting with the river
system and deteriorating the water quality of the river. For this reason, water causes the adverse
effect of surrounding land and aquatic ecosystem as well as subsequent impact on the livelihood
of the local community (Meghla et al., 2013; Rahman et al., 2012). The major pollution sources
of Turag River water are various consumer goods industries (soap and detergent), garments
industries, pharmaceuticals industries, dyeing industries, aluminum industries, battery
manufacturing, match industries, ink manufacturing industries, textile, paint, iron industries, pulp
and paper factories, chemical factories, frozen food factories and steel workshop etc. (Rahman et
al., 2012). Critical and dangerous mixture of hazardous chemicals, which includes both organic
and inorganic are released into Turag river water resulting in different chemical and biochemical
interactions in the river system. Thus, it deteriorates the water quality. From water the pollutants
tend to move to the soil and also degrades the soil quality as well. From soil these pollutants
exist to the agricultural lands of Tongi area. And the contamination of the poisonous heavy
metals reaches to the crops and vegetation from the soil. Eventually this is a dangerous cycle to
be aware of. For these reasons heavy metals cause the adverse effect of surrounding land and
aquatic ecosystem as well as subsequent impact on the livelihood of the local community.

The Turag River along with Tongi area has been declared as ecologically critical areas (ECA) by
the Department of Environment. Study on Turag River water quality was carried out in different
time by Department of Environment (DoE, 2001). The values of different physiochemical
parameters are continuously changing at an alarming rate in this river water. The scientists all
over the world are searching the causes of water pollution, sources of water pollution and trying
to find out the ways to prevent the water pollution as well as environment from pollution. The
study was conducted to know the existing status of different physiochemical parameters of the
Turag River by analyzing contaminants propagation model. So it is very important to compile
the available data and at the same time consider new data to understand current status and trend
of water quality of the Turag River and their manifestation in the aquatic organisms and impacts
on surrounding environment. In this study, the water quality parameters: pH, TDS, salinity,
conductivity, turbidity, DO, BOD and COD were estimated at different locations of Turag river.

Considering the facts, the present study was planned to assess some metallic contamination in
surface soils of Tongi, out of three different industrial areas of Gazipur. In this study, we carried
out one of the most exhaustive literature analyses on the current status of Turag river’s heavy
metal pollution, covering water, soil, and foods which indicates agricultural land. Analysis
showed that soils near high traffic and industrial areas contain high concentrations of heavy
metals and metalloids. Agricultural land and vegetables in sewage-irrigated areas were also
found to be heavy metal- and metalloid-contaminated. River water, soil, and vegetable from the
Turag river and Tongi agricultural land is highly contaminated with cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb),
and chromium (Cr). Particularly, groundwater arsenic (As) pollution associated with high
geological background levels in Bangladesh is well reported and is hitherto the largest mass
poisoning in the world. Overall, the contamination levels of heavy metals and metalloids vary
among Tongi city, with industrial area being most polluted. In all, this review provides a
quantitative identification of the Pb, Cd, and Cr with quality analysis of water and soil of Turag
riverbank. This paper aimed to conduct an extensive literature review in order to systematically
evaluate the heavy metal pollution status of Tongi in present time. Data was collected from our
lab testing and government agency (BARI) , covering Pb, Cd, and Cr concentrations in soil,
river, and crops of Tongi area of Gazipur. It also includes heavy metal intake analysis from soil
to plants of agricultural land of Tongi area. The assessment is informative with collectives and
laboratory experiments and analysis which may be useful to environmental restorationists and
local policy makers.
1.2 Scope of the Study

Keeping all this views in mind, the study was performed to assess the current status of
physicochemical parameters of the Turag River water by knowing the soil and water
contaminants details including their time of activity, amount percentage of each contaminants.
The entire study basically aims at the assessment of the water and soil quality of Turag river and
Tongi industrial area. The water and soil quality assessment are based on systematic collection of
samples from different locations in near Turag river bank which is in Tongi industrial zone.

For describing these informations and the specific activities carried out as a part of this study are
summarized below:

(a) To assess the water quality, Water quality index is being used. It measures the m of a
substance in soil and water. By estimating environmental distribution and environmental
exposure level of a chemical substance, the pollution scenario can be determined. It will give the
actual data of the parameters which will be needed to locate those specific over concentrated
critical pollutants and also to minimizing the health risk of living habitant and aquatic lives of
that area.

(b) To assess the pollution scenario, water quality parameters such as pH, TDS, salinity,
conductivity, turbidity, DO, BOD, COD, Nitrate, Sulfate and Chloride have also been
determined by laboratory analysis. By these, water quality can be measured and exact pollutant
concentration in water can be found in those specific area. Then steps can be taken to minimize
the pollutant usage in the industries and other sources. Overall, it will ensure higher water quality
and exact quantity. It may be able to achieve the rapid health gains among the local people.

(c) Soil water partitioning also being done to determine the per amount of specific contaminant is
being absorbed in soil from water or not. If absorbed then the concentration can also be
determined. Most concentrated pollutant can be specified or separated. Therefore, usage of that
substance can be alternated or minimized in the industry. By determining Soil Water partitioning
mobility of the specific heavy metal concentration can also be estimated. Directly and indirectly,
it will help to create a positive impact on the environment and health of the people.

(d) Heavy metals are also analyzed which were tested in Environmental Engineering Lab, MIST
to determine the concentration of heavy metals. All the research has been designed to select 10
distant locations at Turag riverbank and Tongi agricultural land for water and soil sample.
Determining three heavy metals (Cr, Pb, Cd) concentration for both water and soil samples is the
key to assess the study further to the health impacts of the local people. As metals cause harmful
health effect to the local habitants, it will be easier to minimize these if the concentration is
known by the water and soil quality assessment in different location.

(e) From the water quality index and soil partitioning, detail study of those harmful pollutants
will lead to find out the solution to establish ecological balance in aquatic zone and land zone of
the Turag river area. That will help to take the protective measures to mitigate the pollution level
of this river water.

(f) By assessing soil quality and transport processes of heavy metal contaminants from soil to
plants, these will determine the soil health in a sustainable and approximate way. By that local
land managers and farmers will be able to assess and manage soil functions optimally now and
can prevent degradation from heavy metals in future use. By monitoring changes in soil health,
one can also determine which set of practices is sustainable.

(g) By assessing Heavy Metal Intake rate on a daily basis, one can easily determine current
health status of the local people of the study area. It can also specify the critical heavy metal for
both men and women .It can assess health risks by the consumption of food crops , containing
heavy metals and irrigated from the river wastewater .
The study was done mainly on the basis of laboratory tests, equations analysis, data collections,
experiments. While collecting different organizations during the research, it was revealed that
there is lack of experimental measures at the relevant organizations. Only three heavy metals
were experimented because lab facility offered three metal testing equipments only. Laboratory
facilities and random movement in that study area is also being restricted due to the pandemic
situation.

1.3 Objective

1. To assess the water quality analysis by

 Water Quality Index

2. To study the contaminants by

 Soil Water Partitioning

3. To assess the soil quality by

 Geo Accumulation Index
 Contamination Factor
 Pollution Load Index

4. To determine the Heavy metal concentration transfer rate from soil into vegetable sample
by
 Transfer Factor Indicator

5. To assess the health impacts from the heavy metal consumption of the local people by
 Daily Metal Intake (DMI) calculation.
1.4 Organization of the Thesis work
This thesis of four chapters illustrates the necessary steps taken to achieve the above-mentioned
objectives. The thesis is organized as follows:

Chapter 1 describes the content of the study at a glance which discusses about the heavy metal
contaminant properties. Brief discussion about water and soil quality of Turag river and Tongi
area are also included.

Chapter 2 describes the introduction of Turag river and Tongi agricultural land area with all the
details of the study area and data collecting points. This chapter reviews the relevant literatures
related to this study.

Chapter 3 includes methodologies adopted in this research and described precisely.

Chapter 4 illustrates the results, conclusion and recommendation of the study.