Pollution level of trace metals (As, Pb, Cr and Cd) in the sediment of Rupsha River, Bangladesh: Assessment of ecological and human health risks

The study area was selected in the Rupsha river basin and the sediment samples were collected to determine trace metal concentrations of As, Pb, Cd, and Cr along with biological effects, and potential ecological and human health hazards for adults and children. The concentrations of trace metals were detected from sixty composite sediment samples using an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) following some sequential analytical procedures. The mean concentrations of trace metals were organized in the descending order of chromium (Cr) (43.2 mg/kg) > lead (Pb) (29.21 mg/kg) > arsenic (As) (5.18 mg/kg) > cadmium (Cd) (1.8 mg/kg). The current study highlighted that metals were attributed to the riverine sediments from natural sources and other anthropogenic sources, particularly from various industries.…