Assessment of heavy metals in River Kabul at Warsak Peshawar Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Abstract

The present investigation was conducted to assess the concentration of toxic pollutant i.e. heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Cd, Pb, Cr and Mn) in River Kabul at Warsak Peshawar with the help of Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Three sampling sites were selected in River Kabul at Warsak Peshawar. Each sampling sites was away from one another 100 meters distance i.e. Upstream, Mid-Point and Downstream respectively. In this study the amount of heavy metals recorded were Zn 1.19-1.7 ppm; Cu 0.13-0.75 ppm; Cd 0.02-0.32 ppm; pb 1.01-0.03 ppm; Cr 0.00-0.00 ppm and Mn 0.01-0.03 ppm respectively. In this survey only Cu and Cd were above the permissible limits. This result revealed that River Kabul at Warsak Peshawar site is affected by industrial discharge and anthropogenic activities as well.