Trace Metal Contents in Water, Sediment and Hydrophytes at a Freshwater Wetland in Central Gujarat, India

Nirmal Kumar J.I.; Manishita Das; Rana Mukherji; Rita N Kumar

Nirmal Kumar J.I. Department of Environmental Science and Technology, Institute of Science and Technology for Advanced Studies and Research (ISTAR), Vallabh Vidyanagar, Anand â€“ 388120, Gujarat, India
Manishita Das Amity University Rajasthan, Jaipur-302006, Rajasthan, India
Rana Mukherji Faculty of Science and Technology, The ICFAI University, Dehradun â€“ 248197, Uttarakhand, India
Rita N Kumar Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Natubhai V, Patel college of Pure and Applied Sciences (NVPAS), Vallabh Vidyanagar, Anand â€“ 388120, Gujarat, India

Abstract

The paper represents study of accumulation of various trace metals in a freshwater wetland (Varasda) located in Central Gujarat, India. The trace metal content (Arsenic, Lead, Chromiun and Cadmium) in four hydrophytes (Nelumbo nucifera Gaerth, Typha angustata Bory Chaub, Ipomoea aquatic Forsk and Hydrilla verticillata (L.f.) Royle), water and sediment were analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Analyser (ICP) during pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons in the year 2008. It was observed that the content of trace metals in water considerably increased after religious activities like idol immersion during post-monsoon season. The paper also discusses the trace metal contents in different plants components (root, shoot, leaves and flower). It was noticed that the metal contents are higher in root system whereas lowest in flower. Furthermore, to improve the level of understanding, statistical techniques such as principal component and cluster analyses have been used.