Heavy Metal Pollution in a Lake: An Assessment of the Ecological Threat

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate and evaluate the presence of different heavy metals in sediment samples collected from water of Durgam Cheruvu . The concentrations of six heavy metals, namely arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn), were quantified using the technique of inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICPAES). The investigation employed relative enrichment factors and prospective ecological risk indices to examine the contamination levels of heavy metals in sediment samples and evaluate their potential ecological impact on the surrounding ecosystem. The order of heavy metal sediment enrichment factors was determined to be as follows: chromium (Cr) exhibited the highest enrichment factor, followed by arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and lead (Pb). Several potential ecological risk indices for heavy metals were identified. The order of decreasing reactivity of the elements is as follows: Cadmium (Cd) > Arsenic (As) > Chromium (Cr) > Copper (Cu) > Lead (Pb) > Zinc (Zn). The prospective ecological risk indices, as determined through calculations, indicate that the lake has been low contaminated by heavy metals. Cadmium (Cd) exhibited a moderate level of potential ecological risk within the ecological environment and emerged as the primary factor contributing to the possible toxicity response indices associated with different heavy metals in Durgam cheruvu. The application of analysis of variance was employed to determine the statistical significance of the observed fluctuations in heavy metal concentrations. The analysis of mean seasonal concentrations of metals revealed statistically significant variations across different seasons and sampling sites. The pollution in Durgam Cheruvu may be attributed to industrial and anthropogenic activity. We have put up a series of techniques that can be implemented to mitigate the accumulation of heavy metals in the lake.