Rivers In Bangladesh Research Articles

Unmasking heavy metal contamination: Tracing, risk estimating and source fingerprinting from coastal sediments of the Payra River in Bangladesh.

The Payra River, cicual for fish breeding, feeding and nursery in coastal Bangladesh, faces heavy contamination from industrial activities, agricultural runoff and poor waste management. This study used ICP-MS to assess metal contamination levels, risk status and potential sources in river sediment. The findings showed that the mean concentrations (mg/kg) of metals followed the decreasing order: Mn (434.24±75.91)>Zn (66.42±12.86)>Cr (44.59±8.98)>Ni (40.30±7.43)>Cu (34.07±6.84)>Co (15.72±2.84)>Pb (14.60±5.56)>As (4.70±0.72)>Hg (0.28±0.21)>Cd (0.10±0.03) with Mn significantly exceeding the recommended guidelines. Although contamination factors (CF<1) and the pollution load index (PLI<1) indicated low pollution, Hg and Cd posed greater ecological risks. However, the Risk Index (RI<150) showed overall low pollution risk. Sediment ranged from uncontaminated to moderately contaminated (Igeo=0-1). Non-carcinogenic risks were minimal (HQ<1), but children were more vulnerable to As (HI=2.40E-01) and Cr (HI=2.17E-01). Carcinogenic risks were also higher for children, particularly from As (CR=8.37E-06) and Pb (CR=6.10E-06). Pearson correlation, principal component analysis (PCA), cluster analysis (CA) and spatial analyses indicated shared sources for As, Hg, and Cd, with Mn likely from different sources. The PMF model identified three pollution sources: natural agricultural activities (23.7%), anthropogenic activities (54.43%), and industrial activities (23.74%).

Environmental shocks and migration among a climate-vulnerable population in Bangladesh

Various studies predict large migration flows due to climatic and other environmental changes, yet the ex post empirical evidence for such migration is inconclusive. To examine the causal link between environmental changes and migration for a population residing along the Jamuna River in Bangladesh, an area heavily affected by floods and riverbank erosion, I relate the respondents’ self-reported affectedness by environmental changes, their migration aspirations, and their capability to move to their migration likelihood. The analysis relies on a unique quasi-experimental research design based on original survey panel data of 1604 household heads. I find that erosion significantly and substantively increases the likelihood to migrate, leading to more than a doubling of the migration likelihood compared to the unaffected control group. Flooding has a significant effect only if it causes severe and irreversible impacts. Moreover, erosion affectedness increases the likelihood of moving permanently, with the whole household, and to a rural location. Individual, temporary moves to urban locations, by contrast, are primarily driven by low socio-economic status. Those who move with the whole household migrate mostly less than five kilometers. These findings call for a more nuanced understanding of the complex environment-migration nexus.

Implications of Conferring Legal Entity to the Turag River of Bangladesh: Recognising the Rights of Nature

Implications of Conferring Legal Entity to the Turag River of Bangladesh: Recognising the Rights of Nature

The dual status of rivers in Bangladesh as legal persons and public trust properties: the likelihood of legal complexity

The dual status of rivers in Bangladesh as legal persons and public trust properties: the likelihood of legal complexity

Analysis of ‘Kums’ depth: Impacts on the natural carp spawning habitat of the Halda River of Bangladesh

The Halda River, one of the major natural spawning areas for Indian Major Carps (IMCs), is in danger due to some infrastructure development. This research identified 22 biologically important deeper areas or Kums (locally called) of the river that harbours more fish than other areas. The study was initially started in 2019, and with the follow-up study in 2022 and 2023, the reduction in 17 and 18 Kum’s depth was determined respectively. The study also found a significant reduction in fish numbers at a 5% level of significance, stating that, if the depth of Kum decreases by 1 meter, about 3 fish will be lost per 10000 m2. The reduction of Kum’s depth most affects fish between 85 and 100 cm long. The study identified 8 significant reasons for the destruction of Kums, among which geobags and cemented blocks were the deadliest ones. Chittagong Univ. J. B. Sci. Vol. 12 (1 &amp; 2): 103-114, 2024

Efficient Property Rights &amp; Human Development

This study investigates the interplay between human development and the efficiency of property rights, emphasizing their role in the sustainable management of natural resources. The research highlights the limitations of property rights frameworks, particularly for open-access resources, such as the Buriganga River in Bangladesh. Primary data were collected through interviews and questionnaires with 30 participants from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, complemented by secondary research from scholarly texts and reports. Findings reveal that the lack of human development—manifested through low education, poor awareness, and limited social responsibility—hinders the effective application of property rights and contributes to resource degradation. The study validates the hypothesis that well-defined property rights alone are insufficient without parallel advancements in human development. It recommends incorporating awareness programs, practical applications, and collaborative efforts between the state and the public. The paper concludes that fostering human development is essential for achieving sustainable resource management and broader economic growth.

Communal nesting ecology of Little Tern (Sternula albifrons) and Small Pratincole (Glareola lactea) in two seasonally emerged riverine islands in Bangladesh

Abstract The nesting ecology of two wetland-dependent bird species, the Little Tern (Sternula albifrons) and the Small Pratincole (Glareola lactea) were studied in two seasonally emerged riverine islands, locally named as charlands in Padma River of Bangladesh. A total of 269 and 299 nests of Little Tern and Small Pratincole were found in the breeding season of 2022. We monitored 70 nests of the two species from two charlands, and the nesting success was 74.28% and 78.57%, respectively. No correlation was found between nesting success of both species in relation to clutch size, nest height, nest depth and presence of vegetation near nest. We found strong positive correlation between nesting success and nest distance to river for Little Tern. Nesting success was higher if the Little Tern’s nests were located far from the river channel. However, no such trends were observed for Small Pratincole in the study area. The main factor affecting Little Tern nesting success was nest predation by avian predator (n = 6) and tropical storms (n = 3). On the contrary, eight Small Pratincole nests were predated by avian predators and four nests were lost due to storm. However, in case of 12 deserted nests (with unhatched eggs) of both species, no apparent reasons were identified. The study suggests that these charlands, if protected from human interferences, can provide great breeding support for colonial ground nesting waterbirds.

Morphological changes of river Bank Erosion and channel shifting assessment on Arial Khan River of Bangladesh using Landsat satellite time series images

The continuous processes of erosion and deposition in rivers are intricately linked to changes in land use and land cover (LULC), reflecting dynamic landscape transformations. This study investigates the rate of riverbank erosion, channel shifting, and the impact of erosion on LULC dynamics along the Arial Khan River. Utilizing GIS and remote sensing techniques, we analyzed time-series satellite images from 1993 to 2024 within a 2 km buffer zone of the floodplain. Supervised classification methods were applied for LULC analysis, with results validated using confusion matrices to assess classification accuracy. ArcGIS 10.8 was employed to analyze channel centerline migration, while NDVI analysis assessed vegetation health. The study reveals that between 1993 and 2024, 5142.60 ha were lost to erosion, while deposition affected 4756.52 ha, with erosion surpassing deposition overall. The river shifted an average of 0.66 km during this period, with higher migration rates in Muladi Upazila compared to Babuganj Upazila. Settlement areas expanded significantly from 137.82 ha in 1993 to 2768.68 ha in 2024, while agricultural land declined substantially. These findings provide valuable insights for policymakers to address erosion severity in confluence zones and lay the groundwork for sustainable land management practices.

The impact of feeding pattern on heavy metal accumulation and associated health risks in fishes from the Dhaleshwari River Bangladesh

Heavy metals in aquatic ecosystems accumulate in fish tissues, posing significant ecological and health hazards due to their toxic effects on both the environment and human consumers. The purpose of the study was to assess the potential hazards associated with consuming carnivorous, omnivorous, and herbivorous fish species from the Dhaleshwari River in Bangladesh. The study focused on the seasonal variation and accumulation pattern of toxic heavy metals in these fish species. For this, four fish species (Wallagu attu, Ompak bimaculatus, Labeo calbasu, Cirrhinus mrigala were sampled during the dry and wet seasons from the contiguity of the industrial outlet from Dhaleshwari River. The amount of accumulation of Cr, Pb, Cd, Cu and As in the muscles of the samples were analyzed using spectrophotometry. Heavy metal concentrations were observed to be in the following descending order: Cu (1.99) > Cr (1.92) > Pb (1.42) > Cd (0.31) > As (≤0.0002) (mg/kg, wet weight). Cr, Cd and Pb concentrations exceeded some international food safety guidelines for fish muscles. Carnivorous species exhibited higher metal accumulation than omnivores and herbivores. Statistical analysis revealed significant variations among seasons (p < 0.001), species (p < 0.05) and strong correlation among metals (except As) with p < 0.01. Risk assessment suggested carnivorous species might pose noncarcinogenic risks to both of its child and adult consumers. Despite the potential noncarcinogenic risks, the alarming levels of chromium in these fish indicate a substantial cancer risk for both adults and children, raising concerns about the safety of consuming fish from the Dhaleshwari River. These findings strongly emphasize the importance of implementing enhanced regulatory monitoring to mitigate health risks associated with contaminated fish consumption.

Potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in the invasive Asian clam (Corbicula fluminea) from polluted urban river areas of Bangladesh and evaluation of human health risk.

The invasive Asian clam species, Corbicula fluminea, has significant ecological and societal implications at both local and international levels due to its nutritional aspects. C. fluminea from four urban rivers in Bangladesh exhibited negative allometric growth and degree of contamination with potentially toxic elements (PTEs), which posed a concern to human health based on the AAS and USEPA risk models. The highest mean concentration of PTEs followed a decreasing order: Zn (155.08 ± 4.98mg/kg) > Cu (53.96 ± 7.61mg/kg) > Mn (14.29 ± 3.25mg/kg) > Cd (2.23 ± 0.10mg/kg) > Pb (1.64 ± 0.14mg/kg) > As (1.51 ± 0.45mg/kg) > Ni (1.25 ± 0.27mg/kg) > Cr (0.65 ± 0.02mg/kg) in C. fluminea and raising safety concerns. With the exception of Cr and Mn, all element levels were exceeded safety guideline value (SGV) (mg/kg. ww) and exhibited a strong positive correlation (p < 0.05) among the sites. The target hazard quotient of Mn is THQ > 1, and As showed a non-carcinogenic risk in children at OBR, BR, and MR site. The hazard index (HI > 1) value at the BR and MR sites indicated a public health risk associated with the clam. The target cancer risk (TCR) values for As, Cd, and Ni showed that consuming clams posed a carcinogenic risk to human health. These findings suggest that eating these clams may put consumers at significant risk for health issues related to As, Cd, Ni, and Mn exposure. The study emphasizes the need for strict monitoring and preventative measures to reduce the health risks posed by PTEs contamination in clams.

Molecular Identification, Histopathology and Antibiotic Susceptibility Profiling of Aeromonas veronii Isolated from Oreochromis niloticus in Bangladesh.

Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) is the most widely cultured freshwater fish species in Bangladesh and worldwide. However, commercial tilapia culture systems face increasing challenges from bacterial infections. The objective of this study was to identify the bacterial isolates from infected tilapia inan intensive cage culture farm located along the Shitalakshya River in Bangladesh. Infected fish samples were collected and underwentcomprehensive clinical and post-mortem investigations, followed by phenotypic, biochemical and molecular identification of the bacterial isolates, as well as histopathological and antibiotic susceptibility examinations. Phenotypic and biochemical characterization showed similarities of the -collected isolates with Aeromonas veronii. Moreover, molecular analysis of the bacterial conserved region 16S rRNA also confirmed these isolates as A. veronii. The analysed 16S rRNA sequence (GenBank accession no. PP832815) showed a close relationship (100% identity) with A. veronii from China (GenBank accession no. MT071624) in the NCBI BLAST search, and in the phylogenetic tree, they grouped in a single clade. This close genetic relationship is also supported by the low genetic distance between the isolates. Histopathological analysis revealed gross pathological changes like necrosis, hypertrophy and inflammation in muscle tissues. The isolates were found to be sensitive to multiple antibiotics but resistant to trimethoprim and sulphamethoxazole. This study investigated the presence of A. veronii infection in tilapia (O. niloticus) in an intensive cage culture farm in Bangladesh.

Unraveling meandering river morphodynamics: A geospatial investigation of the Madhumati river in Bangladesh

The Madhumati River, located on the lower course of the Gorai River, experiences significant erosion and accretion, leading to annual changes in its morphological characteristics within the surrounding catchment area. Our study utilized Landsat satellite data and the ArcGIS platform to investigate the morpho-dynamic alterations and meander-bend formation mechanisms of the Madhumati River. Over a period of 43 years, from 1980 to 2023, we collected cloud-free images from Landsat 3, Landsat 5, Landsat 8, and Landsat 9 using the USGS Earth Explorer. River masks were then generated using the Water Ratio Index (WRI) and Sinuosity Index (SI) methods. In addition, each bend of the river was individually digitized to understand the bend development process, rate of movement, erosion and accretion, changes in river width, and sinuosity. Our findings reveal a gradual increase in river migration over the study period, attributed to significant erosion and accretion occurring at each bend. This research indicates a greater amount of erosion and accretion in river bends, with total sediment deposition exceeding net erosion throughout the study period. Most meandering bends have experienced considerable narrowing, indicating progressive river constriction over time. The construction of the Farakka Barrage contributed to higher sediment deposition from 1980 to 1990, whereas the Kamarkhali Bridge construction provoked an increasing amount of erosion from 1990 to 2010. Sediment deposition increased between 2010 and 2020. The erosion around the downstream bends grew once again when the investigation was carried up until 2023, proving beyond a doubt that the Kalna Bridge construction had an effect on this erosion rise. The increased sinuosity index of bends suggests heightened meandering. These findings have significant implications for engineering and geological practices, including infrastructure maintenance, expansion planning, riverbank protection measures, and agricultural and land management strategies concerning the Madhumati River.

Assessing the potential ecological and human health risks of trace metal pollution in surface water, sediment, and commercially valuable fish species in the Pashur River, Bangladesh.

This research examines the contamination levels in the Pashur River in Bangladesh stemming from trace metal discharge originating from the Mongla seaport and various industrial outlets. It delves into both ecological risks and potential health hazards for humans consuming fish carrying accumulated trace metals. The research employed atomic absorption spectrometry to measure the concentrations of chromium (Cr), arsenic (As), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and cadmium (Cd) in surface water, sediment, and fish samples. Target hazard quotient (THQ) and carcinogenic risks were calculated to determine the human health risk caused by the consumption of these targeted fish species. An RI value of 42.89 indicates that the collective presence of trace metals in sediment poses significant ecological risks to the study area. Although the majority of trace metals present in sediment are categorized under class 1 (ranging from unpolluted to moderately polluted) based on the Igeo values, Cd is classified under class 2, signifying a moderate level of pollution. Significantly, THQ values surpass the threshold of 1 for Cr and As, indicating potential health risks associated with the consumption of specific fish species. Among the trace metals analyzed, Ni demonstrates the highest cancer risk (CR) value, at 5.78 × 103, indicating a notable cancer risk associated with the consumption of targeted fish. Recommendations include the strict enforcement of waste disposal policies to mitigate anthropogenic discharge and safeguard the river from further pollution.

Optimizing feed restriction strategies for profitable Oreochromis niloticus culture in floating cages in riverine ecosystems

High feed cost is a major obstacle for promoting the growth of nutrient-rich fish species like Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in cage aquaculture. To address this issue, cage farming of O. niloticus was studied for a 75-day period in the Gurukchi River of Bangladesh. Three different feeding strategies (FS) were tested in floating cages: FS5- weekly restriction on feed supply for two days, FS6- weekly restriction on feed supply for one day, and FS7- no weekly restriction on feed supply, with three replications for each treatment. Water quality parameters were monitored weekly and found within suitable levels for fish cultivation. The analysis of length–weight relationship and the condition factor of O. niloticus showed positive allometric growth regardless of the diverse feeding tactics employed that consistently exhibit stability across all treatments. Both FS6 and FS7 had significantly higher (p < 0.05) final individual length, final individual weight, net yield, total yield, and specific growth rate than FS5. FS6 yielded significantly higher fish production with significantly lower feed conversion ratio than FS7. Economic analysis revealed the highest benefit–cost ratio and net revenue in FS6, recommending its use to minimize the need for supplemental feed and reduce production costs in tilapia cage culture.

Properties Evaluation and Suitability Assessment for Construction Applications of Sand of Kirtankhola River in Bangladesh

Properties Evaluation and Suitability Assessment for Construction Applications of Sand of Kirtankhola River in Bangladesh

Combining earth observations with ground data to assess river topography and morphologic change: Case study of the lower Jamuna River

The Jamuna is a major braided river of Bangladesh and poses enormous challenges related to flooding, erosion, and sedimentation. Effective river management requires an understanding of the Jamuna’s sediment transport dynamics and channel morphology. Yet, developing that understanding is hindered by a lack of topographic data for the river corridor. In this study, the waterline method was applied to a 65 km reach of the Jamuna to derive river channel and floodplain topography above the low water level. The analysis relies on surface water detection from Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 data, along with in-situ water level observations, to generate river-floodplain DEMs for the years 2016–2019. Morphologic change was assessed through DEMs of difference for sequential years and for the overall study period. A quantitative uncertainty analysis was conducted to characterize errors in the waterline DEMs, vertical change detection, and gross and net volumetric changes. The results indicate that gross annual erosion and accretion volumes have a similar order of magnitude to contemporary estimates of the river’s sediment influx. The study highlights that localized and reach-scale lateral exchange is a key component of the overall sediment budget. Finally, the uncertainty analysis framework provides insight and recommendations for how errors can be assessed and reduced in future waterline applications.

An Overview of Socio-Economic Situation of Fishing Community Nearby Dorsha River of Bangladesh

The study was performed to assess the livelihood condition of fishing community nearby Dorsha River of Bangladesh. It was found that most of the fishermen belonged to the age groups of 31-40 years (30%), represented by 78.33% Married. Most of the fishing family (61.67%) is usually consisted of 4-5 members and they engaged in fishing for 6-10 (53.33%) years. Among the fishing community about 10% was illiterate, 23.33% was primary group and 61.67% was secondary group. About 46.07% of the fishermen received health advices from rural community doctors, 35% from upazila health complex and 18.33% got health service from MBBS doctors. The current survey showed that the average annual income by fishing was 13000±3000 BDT and mostly 51.67% are engaged in secondary jobs. The findings also showed that 91.67% of fishermen had electrical facilities and 86.67% drank safe water from tube well though they had homes made of wood and tin (70%). This assessment suggest that they need more institutional, organizational and technical and credit support for their socio-economic betterment and sustainable livelihood.

Heavy metals and metalloid contamination and risk evaluation in the surface sediment of the Bakkhali River estuary in Bangladesh

Current state of contamination and subsequent risk of contaminated sediment of a tidal river of Bangladesh was evaluated in the present study. Sediment samples were collected from five locations in the tributary of Bakkhali River estuary during summer (April) and winter (December) season, 2020. Collected samples were processed using standard protocol and the content of heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn) and metalloid (As), were analyzed by the Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometer. Sediment contamination was evaluated by pollution load index (PLI), contamination factor (CF), degree of contamination (Cd), potential ecological risk index (PERI), non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risk (CR) due to the dermal contact of the sediment. Multivariate statistical analysis such as principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA) were also applied to find out the possible sources of the contaminant in the sediment. Results showed the average concentration of As, Cd, Cr, Pb, Cu and Zn was 9.74 ± 3.57, 2.00 ± 0.85, 48.75 ± 8.92, 29.78 ± 8.39, 5.44 ± 2.03 and 56.94 ± 8.57 mg/kg, respectively. Concentration of Cu, Pb and Zn were within the recommended level whereas the concentration of As, Cd and Cr were suppressed the recommended level of WHO and FAO/WHO standards. PLI, CF and Cd revealed considerably low degree of contamination of the sediment. Geo-accumulation index indicated uncontaminated to moderately contaminated condition of the sediment. Although the values of enrichment factor revealed no potential enrichment for most of the metals, Cd showed a minor enrichment during the winter season. Based on the ecological risk assessment, the sediment from all of the sample locations was found to be of moderate to low risk. PCA and CA analysis revealed the origin of contaminants mainly from anthropogenic sources. Although different metals showed non-carcinogenic risk to the inhabitants, cancer risk values for dermal contact (CRderm) were much lower than 10−6 indicating no cancer risk for adult and child. However, the findings also revealed that children were more susceptible to CRderm compared to adults. The present study concluded that long term dermal contact of the sediment of Bakkhali River estuary will be contagious to the people. Therefore, regular monitoring of the estuarine environment is necessary so that contamination does not get worse.

The biodiversity of fish in transboundary rivers from north-eastern Bangladesh

The biodiversity of freshwater fish is disappearing at an alarming rate around the globe, with transboundary rivers in Bangladesh being especially vulnerable. From October to December 2023, we surveyed the fish biodiversity of 11 transboundary rivers in north-eastern Bangladesh using the available literature and online FishBase data for species identification. We also added a small number of specimens from our previously examined samples that comprised of 74 fish species belonging to eight orders and twenty-four families. Our survey results indicate that the order Cypriniformes had the biggest number of species (38%), followed by the orders Siluriformes (30%), Perciformes (24%), Clupeiformes (3%), Synbranchiformes (1%), Beloniformes (1%), and Tetraodontiformes (1%). Less than 30% of the entire studied area had 26 fish, indicating that the fish population was confined to a relatively limited region. The total number of species was lower than that we had anticipated, which explains the declining trend of the fish biodiversity in the transboundary rivers of north-eastern Bangladesh. Our survey data have allowed us to gain some early understanding of the hidden biodiversity of fish in these rivers, which may prove useful to other researchers conducting follow-up studies. Since there is currently no published description of the ichthyofaunal diversity in transboundary rivers, the current data on 74 species of ichthyofauna will be useful to future researchers, planners, and policymakers. In order to safeguard the faunal composition of a riverine ecosystem, more efforts incorporating genetic data will be helpful in detecting the biodiversity of fish as well as the cryptic species of other transboundary riverine systems. These efforts will also reinforce the need to re-evaluate the checklist and promote sustainable conservation directions.

A probabilistic risk assessment of heavy metal in water and sediment: An industrially affected urban river in Bangladesh.

Human welfare and biodiversity are at risk due to the deterioration of water and sediment quality. Particularly, in last few decades, global water and sediment quality degraded due to the rapid industrialization and urbanization. This study aimed to determine the concentration of nine heavy metals and metalloid (Pb, Cr, Cd, Hg, As, Mn, Ni, Cu, and Zn) and assess the ecological risks using different pollution indices (e.g., heavy metal pollution index [HPI], Nemerow pollution index [NI], geo-accumulation index [Igeo], contamination factor [CF], degree of contamination [CD] and pollution load index [PLI], ecological risk index [ERI]) in water and sediment of the Shitalakshya River, an industrially affected urban river of Bangladesh. For the first time, 20 water and sediment samples were collected across a wider geographical area of the Shitalakshya River during both monsoon and dry seasons and analyzed using the atomic absorption spectrometer. Average concentrations of heavy metals and metalloid in water were within the Bangladesh standard except for Cr (51.69 ppb) and Mn (228.20 ppb) during monsoon season, portraying potential ecological and human health risks. Besides, average concentration of Mn (549.75 and 370.93 ppb), Ni (549.75 and 370.93 ppb), and Cu (45.34 and 36.09 ppb) in sediment during both seasons were above international standard, implying risk to aquatic sediment biota. The average HPI values indicated moderate to high contamination, whereas the NI values implied polluted water in monsoon season with severe pollution in port area of the river. Similarly, Igeo, CF, CD, and PLI elucidated different levels of contamination in the sediment, particularly during dry season. The ERI values also referred moderate ecological risk in the sediment during dry season. Overall, our findings highlight the alarming level of heavy metal pollution in the Shitalakshya River, necessitating immediate action to protect the aquatic environment, sediment biota, and human health. PRACTITIONER POINTS: This study determined the concentration of heavy metals and metalloid in water and sediment of the Shitalakshya River, Bangladesh. The study revealed that the average concentration of Cr and Mn in water exceeded national standard, whereas Mn, Ni, and Cu in sediment exceeded international limit. Potential ecological risk of heavy metals was also assessed using different pollution indices. Calculated pollution indices indicated different degree of pollution, implying critical ecological condition due to heavy metal pollution in aquatic environment and sediment biota.