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International Journal of Geography, Geology and Environment
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"International Journal of Geography, Geology and Environment"

2020, Vol. 2, Issue 2, Part B

Heavy metal pollution of river Ganga: A review


Author(s): Indrani Dubey

Abstract: The Ganga is the largest river in India with an extraordinary religious importance for Hindus. Situated along its banks are some of the world's oldest inhabited cities like Kanpur and Varanasi. The total stretch is 2525 km from Gangotri up north to Kolkata on east provides water to about 40% of India's population across 11 states serving an estimated population of around 500 million people, which is larger than any other river in the world in terms of dependence of natural source. It provides ecosystem services which are of vital importance for the inhabitants of the Ganges river basin. Anthropogenic activities have generated important transformations in aquatic environments during the last few decades. Advancement of human civilization has put serious questions to the safe use of river water for drinking and other purposes. The water quality of the Ganges River deteriorates downstream. The river water pollution due to heavy metals is one of the major concerns in most of the metropolitan cities of developing countries. Indian cities, e.g., Kanpur and Varanasi, are local hotspots of pollution and poor water quality. Downstream of these cities the river’s water quality improves, but never restores to its original state. These toxic heavy metals entering the environment may lead to bioaccumulation and biomagnifications. These heavy metals are not readily degradable in nature and accumulate in the animal as well as human bodies to a very high toxic amount leading to undesirable effects beyond a certain limit. Heavy metals in riverine environment represent an abiding threat to human health. Exposure to heavy metals has been linked to developmental retardation, kidney damage, various cancers, and even death in instances of very high exposure. The following review article presents the findings of the work carried out by the various researchers in the past on the heavy metal pollution of river Ganga. The results revealed alarmingly high levels of nutrient- and organic pollution in the Ganges along Kanpur.

Pages: 136-147 | Views: 825 | Downloads: 493

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How to cite this article:
Indrani Dubey. Heavy metal pollution of river Ganga: A review. Int J Geogr Geol Environ 2020;2(2):136-147.
International Journal of Geography, Geology and Environment

International Journal of Geography, Geology and Environment

International Journal of Geography, Geology and Environment
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