Temporal assessment of heavy metal concentration and surface water quality representing the public health evaluation from the Meghna River estuary, Bangladesh

Abstract The Meghna River, the largest and widest river in Bangladesh, is important for navigation, irrigation, fish spawning shelter, industrial usages, drinking water sources millions of people living nearby areas. present study illustrated seasonal variation some physicochemical parameters four heavy metals (Cr, As, Cd, Pb) distribution surface River estuary. It also evaluated human health risk adult children due to directly contact with through ingestion dermal pathways. ranges metal concentration area were found descending order as: Cr (0.036–0.054; mean 0.045 ± 0.005) > As (0.012–0.036; 0.024 0.007) Cd (0.009–0.050; 0.018 0.012) Pb (0.007–0.014; 0.009 0.007). In most cases, concentrations Cr, Pb, surpassed guideline limits consumption. However, one-way ANOVA revealed that average selected ten sampling sites not significantly different at a 95% confidence level. Therefore, it assumed contamination might have been caused anthropogenic along natural phenomenon. contents greatly concerning both winter summer seasons hazard quotient (HQ) index (HI) investigated compounds acceptable limit (< 1). addition, attribution did overweigh carcinogenic (CR) range (10 –6 10 –4 ), adults are more susceptible than children. Although within level, but adequate monitoring aspects should be implemented control pollution especially discharge