Heavy Metal Concentration in Surface and Sub Surface Waters Along Tungabhadra River in Karnataka, India

The occurrence of heavy metals in surface and groundwater samples were measured at 8 sampling points along stretches of Tunga, Bhadra and Tungabhadra rivers of Karnataka. Eighteen surface and 33 groundwater samples were collected and the concentrations of 7 heavy metals (cadmium, nickel, lead, iron, manganese, zinc, copper) were measured using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The concentrations of Cd, Ni, Pb and Cu were well below detectable level (BDL) and only Fe, Mn and Zn were detected in both types of water samples. Concentrations of Zn in both the water samples were well within the permissible limit of drinking water standards. The concentration of Fe in 43 and Mn in 33 water samples in the pre-monsoon, and Fe in 31 and Mn in 9 water samples in the post-monsoon seasons exceeded the permissible limit of drinking water standards. The purpose of this study was to identify distribution of the trace metal contaminants in surface and groundwaters along the river stretch, the findings of which would raise significant ecological and public health concerns.