Determination of Heavy Metals in Surface Water, Sediments and Planktons at the Junction of Multiple Rivers (Punjnad Headworks) and Their Impact on Human Health

Abstract This study was conducted to calculate the burden of heavy metals i.e., aluminium (Al), arsenic (As), barium (Ba) and lead (Pb) in the river water of Punjnad Headworks, Bahawalpur, Pakistan. For this purpose, samples were collected from surface water, bed sediments and planktons during autumn, winter and spring seasons (September 2018 to May 2019). The results showed that in surface water Pb concentration was highest (453.87 mg L-1), while in sediments and plankton, Al concentration was highest (370.24 µg g-1 and 315.05 µg g-1, respectively). A significant difference (p < 0.000) in metal concentrations was found among surface water, bed sediments and plankton at different sampling stations during various seasons. However, findings of this study showed no adverse effects of heavy metal concentrations on human health. This study provided better understanding of various pollutants and their concentrations in water sources at the studied location.