Seasonal changes and determination of heavy metal concentrations in Veshaw river of the Indian western Himalaya

Trace elements are a major pollutant in the river water and these pollutants present all components of ecological system. Since time immemorial, River Veshaw has been one important sources shaped cultural social values Kashmir Valley. This study was conducted rural parts South Western Himalaya from February to January 2020–2022. The provides various ecosystem services local communities as well upper lower stream regions form many direct indirect services. is polluted by human waste both urban communities, agricultural runoff effluent discharges variety industrial activities due its proximity. Effluent that makes it contains pollutants, some which trace accumulate ecosystem, killing off plants animals reducing biodiversity. element levels sediment were found follow trend as: Sangam > Khudwani Kulgam Nihama Aharbal Kingwattan. dominance pattern heavy metals Pb As Cd. overall showed downward metals, indicating effect land area drainage anthropogenic on water. Heavy not detected middle upstream sites. average highest at Downstream (Sangam), with Cd, Pd ad 0.0054, 0.038 mgL- 1 . shows have an stream.