Heavy Metals Concentrations in Water, Sediment and Fish in River Sutlej at Sulemanki Headworks

Contaminants residues in biota are reflective of environmental quality. In the present study heavy metals (HMs) Fe, Zn, Cu, Cr and Ni concentrations were determined in water, sediment and fish in River Sutlej at Sulemanki Headworks. Order of HMs concentrations in water, sediments and fish species was Fe > Zn > Cu > Cr > Ni. HMs concentration in water, sediment and fish were significantly greater (P<0.01) during the winter season as compared to summer season. Significantly higher concentrations of HiMs were found in sediments as compared to water (P<0.05) and fish (P<0.05). Concentrations of Fe, Cu, Cr and Ni in sediments were significantly correlated (P<0.05) with concentrations of these HMs in water which shows that these HMs re-suspend from sediments into water. Similarly concentrations of HMs in water were significantly correlated (P<0.05) with their concentrations in fish which indicates accumulation of HMs from water in fish tissues through its gills and skin.