SEASONAL VARIATION OF HEAVY METALS IN THREE MAJOR WATER BODIES OF GUWAHATI CITY, ASSAM, INDIANibedita Talukdar, Alisha Nasreen, Taslema Begum and Jogen Ch. KalitaAbstract Heavy metals are reported as endocrine disruptors that cause adverse health hazards. Heavy metals are being passed into the aquatic ecosystem through natural and anthropogenic sources such as geological weathering and atmospheric deposition, discharge of municipal, industrial and agricultural runoff. As a result, the water quality of aquatic ecosystem is deteriorating. Deepor Beel, Borsola Beel and Bharalu River are the largest notable water bodies of Guwahati City which is facing threat due to industrialization and urbanization. In this context, the present study aims at investigating the presence and seasonal variation of heavy metals (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Hg and Ni) in water of these water bodies. The water samples were analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrophotometer (ICP-OES; Thermo Scientific iCAP-7000 series). The present study revealed the presence of heavy metals in Deepor Beel, Borsola Beel and Bharalu River. Concentrations of heavy metals were recorded to be higher during monsoon season as compared to winter season. |