We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Heavy Metals and Microplastics as Emerging Contaminants in Bangladesh’s River Systems: Evidence from Urban–Industrial Corridors
Summary
This review examines heavy metal and microplastic contamination in two major rivers in Bangladesh that run through heavily industrialized areas. Extremely high levels of toxic metals like chromium, lead, and cadmium were found alongside widespread microplastic pollution, mostly from textile and leather factories. The contamination poses serious health risks to the millions of people who rely on these rivers for drinking water, fishing, and daily life.
Urban industrialization is a major driver of water pollution, particularly through emerging contaminants that pose significant health risks for humans and ecosystems. This critical review focuses on Bangladesh's Buriganga and Dhaleshwari rivers, which pass through highly industrialized and urban areas, analyzing contaminant types, sources, pathways, and impacts. By synthesizing data from studies published between 2005 and 2024, the paper examines pollutants such as heavy metals (e.g., Cr, Cd, Pb, Ni, Zn, Hg, As, Mn, Cu, Fe) and microplastics in water, sediments, and biota. The Buriganga River shows extreme heavy metal contamination, with surface water Cr concentrations reaching up to 167,160 μg/L, Pb up to 3830 μg/L, and Fe up to 30,000 μg/L, and sediment Cr up to 4249 μg/g, Pb up to 3312 μg/g, and Fe up to 15,435 μg/g. In contrast, the Dhaleshwari River exhibits elevated but comparatively lower heavy metal concentrations in surface water (e.g., Cr up to 3350 μg/L; Cd up to 1890 μg/L; Pb up to 1320 μg/L; Ni up to 1732 μg/L; Fe up to 6040 μg/L) and sediments (Cr up to 282 μg/g; Fe up to 14,375 μg/g). Microplastic contamination in Buriganga is widespread across water, sediments, and biota and dominated by polymers such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Industrial discharges, particularly from the textile, leather, and metal processing industries, are identified as primary sources for heavy metals and microplastics. Additional inputs from domestic waste, agricultural runoff, and municipal sewage intensify pollution, with Cr, Cd, and Pb notably frequently exceeding safety thresholds. Microplastics, originating from municipal waste and atmospheric deposition, persist in these rivers, posing ecological and public health risks. The persistence and bioaccumulation of heavy metals and microplastics threaten aquatic biodiversity by disrupting food chains and pose significant risks to local communities that depend on these rivers for agriculture, fishing, and daily water use. This review highlights the urgent need for comprehensive bioaccumulation studies, long-term monitoring, and enhanced detection techniques to better assess contamination levels. Strengthening environmental regulations, improving waste management, and adopting sustainable industrial practices are critical to mitigating emerging contaminant impacts and safeguarding these vital river ecosystems and public health.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Unveiling the microplastic crisis: Insights into Bangladesh's aquatic ecosystems - origins, impact, and solutions
This review examines the growing microplastic crisis in Bangladesh's rivers, estuaries, and coastal waters, finding that the country's rapid urbanization and limited waste management have led to widespread contamination. Microplastics were documented in water, sediment, and fish across multiple Bangladeshi water systems. Since over 160 million people in Bangladesh depend on these water resources for drinking, farming, and fishing, the contamination poses a significant public health concern.
Presence of Microplastics and Organic Pollutants in Bangladesh's Freshwater Environment: A Review
This review examines microplastic and organic pollutant contamination in Bangladesh's freshwater environments, highlighting that microplastics act as vectors carrying other toxic substances into aquatic food webs. Given the heavy reliance on freshwater resources in Bangladesh, this dual contamination threat poses serious risks to both ecosystem health and human food safety.
Assessment of microplastics pollution in aquatic species (fish, crab, and snail), water, and sediment from the Buriganga River, Bangladesh: An ecological risk appraisals
Researchers assessed microplastic pollution across water, sediment, fish, crab, and snail from Bangladesh's Buriganga River, finding widespread contamination with fibers and fragments along with elevated heavy metal concentrations on microplastic surfaces.
Microplastics and heavy metals in freshwater fish species in the southwestern region of Bangladesh: An emerging concern for public health
Researchers examined seventeen freshwater fish species from Bangladesh and found microplastics in all of them — mostly tiny fibers under 1mm made of polyethylene — alongside concerning levels of heavy metals including chromium and lead. While microplastic-linked health risks were low to moderate, the heavy metal contamination posed elevated cancer risks for people who regularly eat these fish.
Microplastic pollution in two industrial locations of the Karnaphuli River, Bangladesh: insights on abundance, types, and characteristics
Researchers surveyed microplastic pollution in surface water at two industrial sites along the Karnaphuli River in Bangladesh, finding significant contamination with fibers being the most common type. The study suggests that industrial activity is a major contributor to microplastic pollution in this river system, with polymer types and concentrations varying between the two locations.