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Vol. 3 No. 2, 68-73 http://dx.doi.org/10.22135/sje.2018.3.2.68-73 68
Water Quality and Status of Aquatic Fauna of Dhaka Mega City, Bangladesh
Nur Hussain1*
1 M.Eng., Space Technology Application, Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, China.
*Corresponding Author: nurhussain@buaa.edu.cn
Article History
Received
Received from recived
Accepted
Available online
19 July 2017
03 June 2018
4 August 2018
26 September 2018
Abstract: This research focused of the effect of water pollution on aquatic fauna at Dhaka mega city, Bangladesh.
Dhaka is an over populated capital city of Bangladesh. The rapid urban expansion, highly demographic growth,
industrial development of this mega city have been including in a polluted city. The industrial and municipal waste
material have polluted the wetlands basin of this city. Aquatic fauna of these wetlands basin are endanger for pollutant
substances. The aquatic records and have been collected by field observation. The water quality of this mega city have
been explored by sample collection and lab analysis. Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) and
Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) are less than standard level. As a result the water body fully toxic that condition is
not free for living organism. On the other way, the availability of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Lead (Pb) and
Cadmium (Cd) are catastrophically high from standard level. So the water quality fully polluted and it is not
sustainable for aquatic fauna.
Keyword: Urbanization, water pollution, biodiversity, ecosystem, aquatic health
1. Introduction
Water is important element of environment. It is
composited by chemical substance. These substance
are most important agents of bio-geo chemical process
of environment. The wetland function have been
disrupted if one of those substance increased or
decreased. Due to changes of substances of the water
the largely ecosystem have been suffered. The surface
water of a geographic area is depended on physical
topography, hydro-morphometric structure, catchment
area, climatic factors and anthropogenic influences
(Carpenter. et al., 1998 & Jarvie. et al., 1998). Beside
this consideration the water quality is depended on
socio-economic status of these area (Hussain, 2017).
Dhaka megacity, capital city of Bangladesh is
surrounding the river (Brammer, 2012). Then city is
located inside a large wetland basin. This wetland
water is polluted by urban uses (Kabir & Parolin,
2011). During the monsoon season the Dhaka city
looks like as island. Turag, Balue, Banar, Buriganga
and Shitalaskha River have been flood and created as a
single water body. During the growth of urban
population the city have been increased in areal
content. The expansion city have been created more
sources of waste materials by increasing of industries,
housing, transportation and others. The urban waste
and industrial waste have been mixed with this water
body and changed the physical, chemical and
biological characters of inside and outside surface
water of Dhaka city (DoE, 2010). The pollutant
substance is more harmful for aquatic components.
The aquatic fauna affected by this water pollution and
all wetlands ecosystem have been including this
disruption. The surface water quality of Dhaka city is
not sustainable for aquatic fauna that also threaten for
human health too (Beier, 2008). There are some
fundamental research have been done to assessment of
water quality of the Dhaka city. All of those research
work focused on human health aspect but aquatic
health is absence of those research. In this
circumstances impact of surface water pollution on
aquatic components is most significant and this
research focused on the impact of surface water
pollution on aquatic species of Dhaka megacity. The
main aim of this research to describe the threat of
water pollution on aquatic components of Dhaka
mega city. To explore the main aim this research have
been taken three objectives. These objectives have
helped to obtain the purpose of the research. The
objectives are; a) to estimate the aquatic species of
this study area, b) to explore the water quality of the
Dhaka city during several different season of the year,
and c) to describe the threat of the pollutant substance
on aquatic faun.
2. Study Area
Dhaka mega city, the capital of Bangladesh is
situated between latitudes 23°42' and 23°54'N and
longitudes 90°20' and 90°28'E on the Buriganga River
in the middle of the Bengal delta, it is surrounding by
Buriganga, Balu, Turag, Banar and Shitalaskha River
(Google Earth, 2017). These rivers have dominated the
Vol. 3 No. 2, 68-73 http://dx.doi.org/10.22135/sje.2018.3.2.68-73 69
physiography and morphometric structure of Dhaka
city area (Rashid, 1991). There are a large wetland
basin in outside of metropolitan area and some canal
are inside of metropolitan area. It was originated due
the availability of river navigation (World Bank,
2006).
Map 1. Dhaka City Expansion (DCC, 2004) Map 2. Study are (Banglapedia, 2006)
The Madhupur high land is located north side of
city. The rain fall of upper landform are stored on these
river. The overflow of river water flooded the lower
basin and heavy rainfall flooded the Dhaka city
(Brammer, 2014). Up to near past (1990) Dhaka city
flooded by monsoon rain by over flow of river water.
From 1872 to 2011 during one and half century the
population have been increased 69212 to 14 million
(Bengal Census 1872 & BBS, 2011). The urban area
have been expansion according to rapid population
growth (Islam, 1996; Karim, 1986 & Chowdhury. et
al., 1989).
Industry, productive factory and building have been
increased due to growth population and urban
expansion. All the measures are pollutant producer as
well as the waste and pollution have been increased.
All of waste matter mixed with the water body due to
geographic structure of city
3. Methods
These research have been flowed gradually
developed systematic approach to meet the purpose of
study. The data have been collect from primary and
secondary both sources. Present aquatic status has been
collected by previous record and field observation. The
water quality has been collect from existence area of
interest. The multipole methods have been used in this
research.
.
Figure 1. Methods and data analysis approach
3.1. Aquatic Status:
The aquatic record has been collected by field
observation. The area of interest has been selected by
satellite image analysis. The more water dominant
permanent or most permanent location have been
selected for data collection. The record of aquatic
species has been collect by interview and group
discussion of local fishermen and other people who are
involved in various traditional occupation. They have
experience more than ten years. Some published and
unpublished documents have use to explore the aquatic
status. Several interview have taken from expert
zoologist to cross check of those aquatic record.
3.2. Water quality:
The water sample have been collected from several
wetlands of Dhaka metropolitan area. The sample
Vol. 3 No. 2, 68-73 http://dx.doi.org/10.22135/sje.2018.3.2.68-73 70
point has been selected by satellite image analysis and
collected water from five selected point in pre-
monsoon (January - April), during monsoon (May -
August) and post monsoon (September - December) at
three different period of year. The water sample have
been collected at February for pre-monsoon, June for
monsoon, and November for post-monsoon.
Electrical Conductivity (EC), pH, Dissolved
Oxygen (DO), Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD),
Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Total Dissolved
Solids (TDS), Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), Chromium
(Cr) and Copper (Cu) have analyzed in lad test. All
water parameter and aquatic status have measured in
three particular seasons; a) pre-monsoon, b) Monsoon,
and c) post-monsoon or dry season to explore the
seasonal variations. The water substance has compared
with the standard of DoE (Department of Environment,
GoB).
4. Result and Discussion
4.1 Aquatic Status of Dhaka mega city:
The aquatic fauna have been recorded by field
observation and species identified. The study area is
very rich of its biodiversity (Mustafa. et al., 2013) but
21 aquatic fauna have been recorded which have been
found by field observation.
Figure 2. Satellite Image of Dhaka Mega city (Source:
USGS, 2009)
The of aquatic species record collect by interview
and group discussion of local fishermen and other
people who are involved in various traditional
occupation and they are non-educated by institution,
perhaps they have strong occupational expense about
aquatic bio-diversity because they are involve fishing
or relevant profession during more than ten tears. They
provided their realistic and experience gathered
information about aquatic fauna. The aquatic record
have been mention in table 1
Table 1. Aquatic record of Study area
Name
Class
Family
Species
Leeches
Clitellata
Erpobdellidae
H. medicinalis
Land Snail
Gastropoda
Hygromiidae
M. vicinus
Garden Snail
Gastropoda
Helicidae
C. aspersum
Burgundy Snail
Gastropoda
Helicidae
H. Pomatia
Asian Swamp Eel
Actinopterygii
Synbranchidae
M. albus
Mottled Eel
Actinopterygii
Anguillidae
A. bengalensis
Puntius
Actinopterygii
Cyprinidae
P. chola
Rohu
Actinopterygii
Cyprinidae
L. rohita
Spotted Snakehead
Actinopterygii
Channidae
C. punctata
Bullseye Snakehead
Actinopterygii
Channidae
C. marulius
Ceylon Snakehead
Actinopterygii
Channidae
C. orientalis
Bengal Monitor
Reptilia
Varanidae
V. bengalensis
Yellow Monitor
Reptilia
Varanidae
V. flavescens
Keeled Indian Mabuya
Reptilia
Scincidae
E. carinata
Olive Keelback
Reptilia
Colubridae
A. schistosum
The Indian Flapshell Turtle
Reptilia
Trionychidae
L. punctata
Checkered Keelback
Reptilia
Colubridae
X. piscator
Common Sand Boa
Reptilia
Boidae
G. conicus
Common Sunda Toad
Amphibia
Bufonidae
D. melanostictus
Asian Grass Frog
Amphibia
Dicroglossidae
F. limnocharis
Marbled Toad
Amphibia
Bufonidae
B. stomaticus
Vol. 3 No. 2, 68-73 http://dx.doi.org/10.22135/sje.2018.3.2.68-73 71
4.2 Water Quality of Dhaka mega city:
The water quality of Dhaka mega city explored by
laboratory test. The average pH was 7.2, 7.38, and 7.6
in pre-monsoon, monsoon, and post-monsoon period
respectably, where DoE (BD) standard is 7-9. The
average Dissolved Oxygen was 1.6 (mg/l) in pre-
monsoon period, 150.4 (mg/l) was in monsoon period,
and post-monsoon it was 0.8 (mg/l), that extremely
increased in monsoon season and decreased in post-
monsoon period, where DoE (BD) standard 4.5-8
(mg/l). The average Biological Oxygen Demand
(BOD) was 84.2 (mg/l) in pre-monsoon, and 50.2
(mg/l) was in post-monsoon period where DoE (BD)
standard 50 (mg/l). Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD)
was 218.4 (mg/l) pre-monsoon and was in 209.4 (mg/l)
in post monsoon, that exceeded both of seasons from
DoE (BD) standard 200 (mg/l). The average Total
Dissolved Solids (TDS) was 1396.2 (mg/l), 0.019
(mg/l), and 1054.4 (mg/l) was in pre-monsoon,
monsoon, and post-monsoon period respectably, where
DoE (BD) standard 150 (mg/l). The average Lead (Pb)
was 0.76 (mg/l) pre-monsoon and 2.1 (mg/l) was in
post monsoon, that exceeded both of seasons from
DoE (BD) standard 0.1 (mg/l). The average Cadmium
(Cd) was 0.4 (mg/l) pre-monsoon and 0.026 (mg/l) was
in in post monsoon, that exceeded both of seasons
from DoE (BD) standard 0.05 (mg/l). The average
Chromium (Cr) was 0.3 (mg/l), 6.6 (mg/l), and 0.012
(mg/l) was in pre-monsoon, monsoon, and post-
monsoon respectably where, DoE (BD) standard 0.05
(mg/l). The average Copper (Cu) was 0.14 (mg/l),
1.074 (mg/l), and 0.026 (mg/l) was in pre-monsoon,
monsoon, and post-monsoon respectably where, DoE
(BD) standard 0.05 (mg/l). The water quality of all
seasons exceeded or decreased from the national (DoE)
standard that is threaten for aquatic fauna (MoEK-
GoEP, 1970; MoEF-GoB, 1994 and Mustafa. et al.,
2013). The seasonal water quality of study area
mention in table 2, 3 and 4. In table 4 represents the
yearly average of water quality with national standard.
Table 2. Water quality of pre-monsoon period
Water Parameter
Unit
Point 1
Point 2
Point 3
Point 4
Point 5
Average
Electrical Conductivity(EC)
ds/m
3.2
2.9
3.1
3.3
3.5
3.2
pH
7.72
7.92
6.38
7.61
6.36
7.2
Dissolved Oxygen (DO)
mg/l
2.32
2
1.71
1
1
1.6
Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD)
mg/l
53
83
75
63
147
84.2
Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD)
mg/l
470
371
75
77
99
218.4
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
mg/l
1533
1138
1344
1223
1743
1396.2
Lead (Pb)
mg/l
0.66
0.67
0.72
0.86
0.89
0.76
Cadmium (Cd)
mg/l
0.33
0.42
0.52
0.32
0.38
0.4
Chromium (Cr)
mg/l
0.16
0.48
0.21
0.27
0.33
0.3
Copper (Cu)
mg/l
0.1
0.11
0.12
0.11
0.3
0.14
Table 3. Water quality of monsoon period
Water Parameter
Unit
Point 1
Point 2
Point 3
Point 4
Point 5
Average
pH
7.7
6.7
7.6
7.4
7.5
7.38
Dissolved Oxygen (DO)
mg/l
55
105
55
352
185
150.4
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
mg/l
0.04
0.03
0.01
0.009
0.006
0.019
Cadmium (Cd)
mg/l
117
801
439
480
755
518.4
Chromium (Cr)
mg/l
6
4
7
12
4
6.6
Copper (Cu)
mg/l
0.24
1.44
0.79
1.7
1.2
1.074
The water quality have slightly changed due to
seasonal variation but the water is highly polluted at all
season of the year. In monsoon period, the waste
material have been washed out within rainwater and
accumulated in water body. The water quality of pre-
monsoon and post monsoon season are more polluted
then monsoon period because the industrial wastewater
come in water body as well as the rainfall is absence
during this period. As a result Total Dissolved Solids
(TDS), Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr),
Copper (Cu) have been increasing on the other way
Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Biological Oxygen Demand
(BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) have been
decreasing. The water quality of all seasons have
exceed the national (DoE) standard (MoEF-GoB, 1994
& MoEK-GoEP, 1970)
Vol. 3 No. 2, 68-73 http://dx.doi.org/10.22135/sje.2018.3.2.68-73 72
Table 4. Water quality of post-monsoon period
Water Parameter
Unit
Point 1
Point 2
Point 3
Point 4
Point 5
Average
pH
8.2
7.7
7.8
6.9
7.4
7.6
Dissolved Oxygen (DO)
mg/l
0.55
1.57
0.57
0.54
0.75
0.8
Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD)
mg/l
45
76
34
74
22
50.2
Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD)
mg/l
298
199
162
221
167
209.4
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
mg/l
1366
631
1178
1130
967
1054.4
Lead (Pb)
mg/l
2.26
1.2
2.5
2.6
1.9
2.1
Cadmium (Cd)
mg/l
0.02
0.04
0.01
0.03
0.03
0.026
Chromium (Cr)
mg/l
0.01
0.02
0.01
0.01
0.01
0.012
Copper (Cu)
mg/l
0.03
0.04
0.03
0.02
0.01
0.026
Table 5. Yearly average water quality
Water Parameter
Unit
DoE (BD) Standard
Yearly Average
Electrical Conductivity (EC)
ds/m
1.2
2.12
pH
6-9
7.4
Dissolved Oxygen (DO)
mg/l
4.5-8
1.2
Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD)
mg/l
50
47
Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD)
mg/l
200
192.73
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
mg/l
150
989.7
Lead (Pb)
mg/l
0.1
0.76
Cadmium (Cd)
mg/l
0.05
0.21
Chromium (Cr)
mg/l
0.5
0.15
Copper (Cu)
mg/l
0.5
0.06
4.3. Sources of water:
The amount of water parameter Total Dissolved
Solids (TDS), Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), Chromium
(Cr), Copper (Cu) have been increasing on the other
way Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Biological Oxygen
Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD)
are more than national (DoE) standard. This water
have highly polluted by urban and industrial pollution.
Liquid Organic wastes, Nutrient substances, Liquid
Inorganic wastes Micro-organisms/germs, Synthetic
compounds, Inorganic chemicals, Hot water, Silt and
sediment, Industrial and Municipal waste, are main
sources of pollution of wetlands on Dhaka mega city
(Chakraborty. Etal., 2013 & Field observation, 2017).
Most of the pollutant comes from industrial waste,
there are a strong rule to operate Effluent Treatment
Plant (ETP) for pollution protect. It is observed by
field investigation, most of the industry have not run
ETP a major number of industry have not ETP. On the
other way the municipal authority have not maintain
waste management. City dweller have not follow the
municipal rule, they have thrown the homestead waste
inside the road and canal.
4.4 Effect of water pollution of Aquatic fauna:
The polluted water have mixed with natural water
body that is most harmful for aquatic species (Roy, et
al., 2013). There is no require level of water pH for
aquatic fauna but suddenly change of pH level is harm
for aquatic organization. The DO level is lowest than
DoE slandered level. The DoE required is 4.5 to 8
(mg/l) but the yearly DO status is 1.2 (mg/l) as a result
the water body become toxic (Hussain, 2017b). The
toxic water is not sustainable for any biotic organ
(Hussain, et al., 2017). Chromium and Copper are
tolerable level of standard but Lead and Cadmium are
very high from slandered. As a result the aquatic fauna
can be effected very diseased. It also harmful for
aquatic ecosystem. The TDS level is devastatingly
high from tolerance level. The slandered of Total
Dissolved Solids (TDS) is 150 mg/l but yearly average
is 989.7 mg/l. As a result, solar energy cannot reach to
the underwater flora and photosynthesis reaction is
disrupted. So, plants cannot produce oxygen and it is
very harmful for aquatic fauna.
5. Conclusion
All development activities have been performed by
the costal of environment (Hussain, 2017). The
environment have been polluted by the growth of
population, urban expansion and industrial
development (Hussain, et al., 2017). All of
development project have produced the pollutant
substances and degrade the environment. The wetlands
of Dhaka mega city have been polluted by those
development actives. The surface water quality of
Dhaka mega city are not sustainable for aquatic fauna.
The results of this study noticed the water quality and
Vol. 3 No. 2, 68-73 http://dx.doi.org/10.22135/sje.2018.3.2.68-73 73
signify impact of this water quality on aquatic fauna.
The explored values of water properties were found to
be highly vulnerable condition for all season of year
comparing with the national standard values. This
water is not detrimental for aquatic fauna. This
polluted water have been disrupter the aquatic
ecosystem (Roy, et al., 2014). It also have been broken
the harmonious wetlands ecology of surrounding
waterbed of Dhaka mega city. This affected condition
not only threaten for aquatic organization but also in a
broad function of ecosystem.
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