African Journal of
Biotechnology

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Biotechnol.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1684-5315
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJB
  • Start Year: 2002
  • Published Articles: 12501

Full Length Research Paper

Heavy metals burden of Keenjhar Lake, District Thatta, Sindh, Pakistan

Lashari, K. H.1*, Sahato, G. A.1, Korai, A. L.1, S. Habib Naqvi2, Palh, Z. A. 1 and Urooj, N.1
1Department of Fresh Water Biology and Fisheries, University of Sindh, Jamshoro–76080, Sindh, Pakistan. 2Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, University of Sindh, Jamshoro–76080, Sindh, Pakistan.
Email: [email protected] [email protected]

  •  Accepted: 04 June 2012
  •  Published: 31 July 2012

Abstract

Detection of heavy metals (HMs) content from Keenjhar Lake water was carried out monthly from January to December, 2003. Zinc, chromium, copper, iron, manganese, nickel and cadmium were analyzed by dual mode of analytical methods flame atomic absorption spectrometry and electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS and ETAAS) by multi element standard solution. The concentrations of zinc, chromium, copper, iron, manganese Nickel and cadmium were 1.4 to 104.3 µgL-1, 1.28 to 4.9 µgL-1, 0.6 to 7.3 µgL-1, 2 to 45.6 µgL-1, 0.2 to 6.7 µgL-1, 3.54 to 39.5 µgL-1and 1.0 to 4.3 µgL-1, respectively. Zn2+, Cr+, Cu2+, Fe2+ and Mn2+ concentrations were recorded lower than those of permissible limits, whereas Ni+ and Cd+ were higher than those of permissible limits recommended by WHO (2004).

 

Key words: Heavy metals, Keenjhar Lake, toxicity.