Heavy Metals’ Concentration in Textile and Garments Industries’ Wastewater of Bhaluka Industrial Area, Mymensingh, Bangladesh

Abstract

An investigation was made to ascertain heavy metals concentration in effluent samples collected from textile industries located at Bhaluka industrial area, Mymensingh, Bangladesh during August to November, 2013. Atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS) was used to evaluate the concentration of Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu), Nickel (Ni), Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr) and Lead (Pb) in the samples. The study revealed that heavy metals were present in variable amounts, where the concentrations of Cu (0.0405 ppm) and Pb (0.0003 ppm) were found lower than recommended level for industrial waste water. Among the present trace metals, the highest concentration (0.2-1.0 ppm) was found in Zn. Although the concentration is suitable for irrigation, it is unsafe for aquaculture. Besides, all of the wastewater samples possessed no Cr, Cd and Ni, which comprised less of the minimum acceptance level, indicating no possibility of contamination. However, comparing findings of this study with the safe limits for industrial wastewater, it can be concluded that the waste water of the study area except some sampling sites can be used for irrigation and aquaculture.