Abstract

The present study investigated heavy metal (HM) concentrations in water and sediment of the Kunhar River and its tributaries in Kaghan valley, Northern Pakistan. The highest mean concentration was observed for iron (Fe) 316 ± 47.4 µg/L and the lowest for cadmium (Cd) 2.45 ± 0.31 µg/L in the upstream water of this study. The highest mean hazard quotient value of 0.43 was calculated for children through downstream water consumption. The concentration of HM in water was used for the calculation of HM pollution index and HM evaluation index , showing a low level of contamination. The highest mean sediment concentration was found for Fe was 35500 ± 2700 mg/L and the lowest for Cd was 1.96 ± 0.23 mg/L in upstream of Kunhar River. Pollution quantification factors values were the highest downstream. Statistical analyses revealed that water and sediment contamination of Kunhar River and its tributaries was mainly attributed to geogenic sources.

摘要

本研究调查了巴基斯坦北部卡汉河谷的昆哈尔河及其支流水和沉积物中的重金属 (HM) 浓度。在本研究的上游水中，铁 (Fe) 的最高平均浓度为 316 ± 47.4 µg/L，镉 (Cd) 的最低平均浓度为 2.45 ± 0.31 µg/L。通过下游用水量计算出儿童的最高平均危险商值为 0.43。HM污染指数和HM评价指数采用水中HM浓度计算，污染程度较低。在昆哈尔河上游，发现 Fe 的最高平均泥沙浓度为 35500 ± 2700 mg/L，而 Cd 的最低平均泥沙浓度为 1.96 ± 0.23 mg/L。污染量化因子值在下游最高。