Assessment of heavy metals and their interrelationships with some physicochemical parameters in eco-efficient rivers of Himalayan region

Most precious and world famed Himalayan rivers like Ganga, Yamuna, and their tributaries are originated from Uttarakhand state of India. Over the years, increased industrial activities and urban growth along the rivers and lakes have resulted in increased load over the water bodies. In the present study, a comparison of characteristics of water quality with respect to heavy metals (Fe, Zn, Cu, and Pb) and their interrelationships with some physiological parameters during different seasons of year 2010 has been made in the water bodies flowing through the two geographical regions, namely Garhwal and Kumaon regions of the Himalayan State of India. All observed values of Pb, 02 observation of the Cu, and 59 observations of Fe are found exceed with the WHO standard for drinking water; 83 observations of Pb, 110 observations of Cu, and 59 observations of Fe are found exceed with the Bureau of Indian Standards. However, none of the observation of Zn is found exceeding with the standard limit. Cu shows the highest concentration 7.30 mg/l among all observations and also its higher concentration in Kumaon rivers. All the metals show negative correlation with dissolved oxygen and pH. Fe in river Yamuna system and Zn in Kumaon rivers show significant temporal variations at 90 % level of significance (LOS). However, no significant temporal difference of remaining metals is observed even at 95 % LOS. All metals except Fe in river Yamuna system show very significant variation in spatial distribution in different river systems at 95 % LOS.