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. 2025 Apr;203(4):2226-2239.
doi: 10.1007/s12011-024-04290-6. Epub 2024 Jul 2.

Heavy Metal Concentrations in Water, Sediment, and Fish Species in Chashma Barrage, Indus River: A Comprehensive Health Risk Assessment

Khalid Hussain Rind  1 , Sonia Aslam  2 , Nazakat Hussain Memon  3 , Asif Raza  4 , Muhammad Qamar Saeed  5 , Alia Mushtaq  6 , Javed Ahmed Ujan  7   8 , Syed Fahad Habib  9 , Salim S Al-Rejaie  10 , Mohamed Mohany  10
Affiliations

Heavy Metal Concentrations in Water, Sediment, and Fish Species in Chashma Barrage, Indus River: A Comprehensive Health Risk Assessment

Khalid Hussain Rind et al. Biol Trace Elem Res. 2025 Apr.

Abstract

The increasing levels of heavy metals in aquatic environments, driven by human activities, pose a critical threat to ecosystems' overall health and sustainability. This study investigates the bioaccumulation of heavy metals (Pb, Cu, Cr, and Cd) in water, sediment, and three fish species (Catla catla, Labeo rohita, Cirrhinus mrigala) of different feeding zones within Chashma Barrage, located in the Mianwali district of Punjab, Pakistan, on the Indus River. A comprehensive analysis, including an assessment of associated human health risks, was conducted. Thirty samples from all three sites for each fish species, with an average body weight of 160 ± 32 g, were collected from Chashma Barrage. Water quality parameters indicated suitability for fish growth and health. Heavy metal concentrations were determined using an atomic absorption spectrometer. Results indicated elevated levels of Cd, Cr, and Cu in sediment and Pb and Cd in water, surpassing WHO standard limits. Among the fish species, bottom feeder (C. mrigala) exhibited significantly (P < 0.05) higher heavy metal levels in its tissues (gills, liver, and muscle) compared to column feeder (L. rohita) and surface feeder (C. catla). Liver tissues across all species showed higher heavy metal bioaccumulation, followed by gills. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed strong correlations among heavy metals in sediment, gills, muscle, and water in every fish species. However, the vector direction suggests that Cr was not correlated with other heavy metals in the system, indicating a different source. The human health risk analysis revealed lower EDI, THQ, and HI values (< 1) for the fish species, indicating no adverse health effects for the exposed population. The study emphasizes the bioaccumulation differences among fish species, underscoring the higher heavy metal concentrations in bottom feeder fish within Chashma Barrage.

Keywords: Anthropogenic activities; Consumers; Feeding zones; Heavy metal pollution; Human health.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing interests. Ethics Approval: The authors followed all the valid national rules for the use and care of animals, and the study was conducted after the ethical committee approval of the Department of Zoology Khushal Khan Khattak University, Pakistan. Conflict of Interest: The authors declare no competing interests.

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