Heavy Metal Intake by Fishes of Different River Locations in Bangladesh: A Comparative Statistical Review

Abstract

Bangladesh a nation with a high population density, gets all of the protein it needs from river fishes. The observation is very alarming that heavy metals polluted the major river water by the growing garment washing, dyeing and textile, fertilizer, cement, tannery, metal, electrochemical and pharmaceutical industries were the main culprits that don’t have proper effective effluent treatment plants (ETP). High-value heavy metals in industrial area river fish as chromium (Cr) 164.73 mg/kg in Heteropneustes fossilis (stinging catfish) at Buriganga River, Hazaribagh, zinc (Zn) 309.47 mg/kg in Mastacembelus armatus (Bain) fish at Bangshi river, Savar, copper (Cu) 26.33 mg/kg in Mastacembelus armatus (Bain) at Bangshi river, Savar, arsenic (As) 5.64 mg/kg in Heteropneustes fossilis (stinging catfish) at Bangshi river, Savar, lead (Pb) 18.16 mg/kg in Channa punctatus (Taki) at Buriganga river, Hazaribagh and cadmium (Cd) 2.03 mg/kg in Heteropneustes fossilis (stinging catfish) at Buriganga river, Hazaribagh were observed. The two rivers are identified as most contaminated by heavy metals one is the Bangshi River, Savar, Gazipur and another one Buriganga River, Hazaribagh. The main reason for the contamination of these two rivers was uncontrolled industrialization around Dhaka and in Hazaribagh, a huge number of tanneries have grown that use a huge quantity of Cr creating a threat to the ecosystem and even a serious health risk for humans. Heavy metals that fish consume are contaminating river water ecosystems. This contamination spreads to human bodies and is the cause of many serious ailments.