ASSESSMENT OF TOXIC METAL IONS IN WATER, SEDIMENT AND FLORA OF YAMUNA RIVER, A MAJOR TRIBUTARY OF THE RIVER GANGA IN NORTHERN INDIA (MATHURA – AGRA REGION, INDIA)MAMTA SINGH AND A.K. BHATIAAbstract
Rapid industrialization imposed a massive environmental stress on water resources and draws global attention. In the present study, concentration of heavy metals (Cr, Ni, Pb, Zn, Cu) in Yamuna river water, sediment and flora are reported. Samples were collected from four different sites of Mathura â Agra region. Concentration of metal ions in aquatic system is often considered as indicator of anthropogenic load and indicates potential risk to the environment. There was no major correlation between heavy metal pollution in water and sediments whereas correlation between sediment and plants values was noticed. Sediment pollution was estimated by using pollution load index (PLI) and geo-accumulation index (I-geo) which revealed the order of toxic metal ions is predominantly by Pb< Ni< Cu |