Determination of Physicochemical and Heavy Metals Concentration in Khanpur Dam Reservoir Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Abstract

The present study was conducted to examine the water quality characteristics of Khanpur Dam Reservoir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, water samples were collected from agriculture, runoff, society and mid of the Dam during pre and post monsoon. Physicochemical parameters were determined by using standard methods. The results of pre and post monsoon were obtained in the following order. pH ranged 6.1 to 7 and 6.4 to 7.2, conductivity 363 to 505 μS/cm and 448 to 507 μS/cm, TDS 240 to 262 and 240 to 270 mg/L, Chloride17.725 to 53.175 mg/L and 10.635 to 26.5875 mg/L, Fluoride zero to 3.5 mg/L and zero to 2.4 mg/L , respectively. Heavy metals were also assessed in the samples by using Atomic absorption spectrophotometer and standard method. The concentration of heavy metals in pre and post monsoon was found in the following order. Cadmium 0.08 to 0.44 mg/L and 0.2 to 0.9 mg/L, Iron 0.09 to 1.6 mg/L and 0.29 to 1.28 mg/L, Manganese 0.29 to 0.52 mg/L and 0.37 to 0.5 mg/L, Lead 0.03 to 0.21 mg/L and 0.1 to 0.79 mg/L, Chromium 0.12 to 1.2 mg/L and 0.1 to 0.28 mg/L, Nickel 0.21 to 1.5 mg/L and 0.1 to 0.6 mg/l, respectively. The results obtained were compared with Pak-EPA standard limit. It was found that the concentration of Fluoride and heavy metals like Nickel, Lead, chromium and Cadmium were above the permissible limit in mostly Post monsoon samples. Regulatory authorities and concerned departments should monitor the water quality before its supply to the community.