Heavy metal pollution of river Yamuna in the industrially developing state of Haryana.

Heavy metal concentrations viz. Fe, Ni, Pb, Cd, Co, Zn in the river Yamuna flowing along the state of Haryana through Delhi have been reported selecting 16 stations covering the upstream and downstream stations for major industrial complexes of the state. While Fe, Ni and Co concentrations exceeded the maximum permissible limits prescribed for drinking all along the river, the Cd concentrations crossed the acceptable standards in Delhi downstream. The Pb concentrations declined in the eutrophicated Delhi downstream while Zn concentrations remained within desirable limits throughout. Peak concentrations were recorded in Delhi downstream for Fe and at Sonepat-Gohana downstream for Ni, Co & Zn, which matched with the type of industrial inputs viz. Iron-works and the electroplating, galvanizing & cycle industries, respectively. The status of heavy metal pollution of the river has been discussed with respect to possible impacts on human health and aquatic life.