Risk surveillance with spatial distribution of Organochlorine Pesticides (OCPs) from sedimentary samples of Chenab River.

A pioneering study employed a holistic geostatistical approach to predict the spatial variability of a non sampled area in the Chenab River, Pakistan, using kriging interpolation for organochlorine pesticide (OCP)-polluted risk zones. The Present research intended to investigate the carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic human health risks, contamination levels, and spatial variation of OCPs in the Chenab River, Pakistan. The residual OCP content in sediment samples (n = 120) ranged from 0.056 to 32.14 ng/g. DDE and α-HCH were prevalent among all the samples analyzed, with mean concentrations of 15.84 ± 8.02 and 12.45 ± 6.72 ng/g, respectively. The order of magnitude of OCPs in sediment samples was DDTs > α-HCH > chlorothalonil > heptachlor > endosulfan > aldrin > dieldrin. The findings of the single (SPI) and Nemerow (Nel) pollution index of α-HCH, heptachlor, and aldrin depicted the Chenab River as a serious pollution risk zone. The outcomes of the Pearson correlation coefficient analysis represent the positive correlation among all OCPs, revealing the common origin. Distribution trends showed substantially higher (p < 0.05) contents of analyzed OCPs along the downstream zone. With regards to USEPA human health hazard assessment model, the estimated non-carcinogenic (ΣHI) and non-carcinogenic (ΣTCR) risk ranged from 1.1 × 10-5 to 1.0 × 10-1, 4.0 × 10-8 to 3.2 × 10-4 respectively. TCR >10-4 illustrated a substantial cancer health risk posed by α-HCH, heptachlor, aldrin, and dieldrin in the downstream zone. We recommend the urgent cessation of the ongoing discharge of OCPs into the Chenab River, which needs to be highlighted owing to the significant cancer risk to public health to ensure the good health and wellbeings.

Comprehensive GIS based risk surveillance of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in edible fish species of River Chenab, Pakistan.

The present study was conducted to evaluate Carcinogenic (TR) and non-carcinogenic (THQ) human health risk of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in three edible fish species (Labeo boga, Channa marulius and Wallago attu) of River Chenab, Pakistan using USEPA human health risk assessment model. Holistic GIS (Geographic information system) based Geo-Statistical approach has been employed for the first time in River Chenab, Pakistan to categorize contaminated risk zones of OCPs based on single pollution index. The ∑OCPs concentrations in fish species were ranged from 5.09 to 414 ng/g with the prevalence of dieldrin. Results of single pollution index of DDE, aldrin, dieldrin and ∑endosulfan revealed River Chenab as polluted and risk zone area. Distribution pattern assessed significantly higher (p < 0.05) concentrations of OCPs in downstream area suggesting substantial pollution of surrounded industrial region. The human health risk assessment depicted no harmful non-carcinogenic (THQ) risk except for ΣOCPs concentration of C. marulius. Significant carcinogenic (TR) health risk exhibited by all examined OCPs from maximum of the studied sites. Therefore, the high carcinogenic human health risk had highlighted an immediate removal of continuous disposal of OCPs in the River Chenab.

Stress mitigation by riparian flora in industrial contaminated area of River Chenab Punjab, Pakistan.

Faisalabad is a major industrial area in Pakistan's Punjab province that discharges wastewater into the Chenab River. Industrial effluents in Faisalabad are predicted to pose a significant threat to the riparian vegetation of the Chenab River and nearby vegetation. Heavy metal pollution of plants, water, and soils is one of the biggest problems worldwide that needs to be addressed because heavy metals above normal levels are extremely dangerous to both riparian vegetation and wildlife. The results indicated high levels of pollution in the industrial effluents as well as in the river in terms of salinity, metal toxicity, TSS, TDS, SAR, the acidic and alkaline nature of the industrial effluents, and the spread of industrial effluents up to 15 square kilometres in the Chenab River. Despite the higher pollution, four plants were found at all sites: Calotropis procera, Phyla nodiflora, Eclipta alba and Ranunculus sceleratus. It was found that most of the selected plants were phytoaccumulators, making them best suited to survive in harsh environments such as those with industrial pollution. The Fe concentration in the plant constituents was the highest, along with Zn, Pb, Cd, and Cu, all of which were above the permissible limits of the WHO. The metal transfer factor (MTF) was higher in most of the plants studied, and even exceeded 10 at some severely affected sites. Calotropis procera proved to be the most suitable plant for growth on drainage systems and also at river sites, as it had the highest importance value across all sites and seasons.

Fish eco-genotoxicology: Comet and micronucleus assay in fish erythrocytes as in situ biomarker of freshwater pollution.

Owing to white meat production Labeo rohita have vast economic importance, but its population has been reduced drastically in River Chenab due to pollution. Atomic absorption spectrophotometry showed a merciless toxicity level of Cd, Cu, Mn, Zn, Pb, Cr, Sn and Hg. Comet assay results indicated significant (p < .05) DNA fragmentation in Labeo rohita as 42.21 ±â€¯2.06%, 31.26 ±â€¯2.41% and 21.84 ±â€¯2.21% DNA in comet tail, tail moment as 17.71 ±â€¯1.79, 10.30 ±â€¯1.78 and 7.81 ±â€¯1.56, olive moment as 13.58 ±â€¯1.306, 8.10 ±â€¯1.04 and 5.88 ±â€¯0.06, respectively, from three different polluted sites on the river. Micronucleus assay showed similar findings of single micronucleus induction (MN) as 50.00 ±â€¯6.30‰, double MN 14.40 ±â€¯2.56‰, while nuclear abnormalities (NA) were found as 150.00 ±â€¯2.92‰. These higher frequencies of MN induction and NA were found to be the cause of reduction of 96% of the population of this fish species in an experimental area of the River Chenab. This fish species has been found near extinction through the length of the river Chenab and few specimens in rainy seasons if restored by flood, may die in sugarcane mill season. Due to sweeping extinction Labeo rohita showed the highest sensitivity for pollution and could be used as bioindicator and DNA fragmentation in this column feeder fish species as a biomarker of the pollution load in freshwater bodies.

Monitoring and spatiotemporal variations of pyrethroid insecticides in surface water, sediment, and fish of the river Chenab Pakistan.

There is a serious concern regarding freshwater resources of Pakistan which have been mismanaged and now are depleting extensively due to other reasons like intensive application of agricultural pesticides and insecticides. The present study was conducted to determine the concentrations of cypermethrin, deltamethrin, permethrin, and bifenthrin in the samples of water, sediments, and fish collected from various locations of River Chenab, Pakistan, during summer and winter seasons. These locations include namely Marala, Khanki, Qadirabad, and Trimu Headworks. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was deployed for analysis and determination of pyrethroid concentrations in these samples. The analytics show the order of pyrethroid concentrations in river as fish> sediment>water. Whereas maximum concentrations of 0.472 µg g-1 found in fish and minimum concentrations were determined in water, i.e., 0.087 µg L-1 at the sampling locations of Trimu and Marala headworks, respectively. Moreover, highest mean concentrations of pyrethroid, i.e., 1.248 µg g-1 in fish were detected in winter season as compared to summers, i.e., 0.087 µg L-1. However, all the values of pyrethroid were found to be lower than the maximum permissible levels specified by EU and WHO-FAO. Whereas the levels of deltamethrin and permethrin in water were found much higher than the specific limits set by EU.

Human exposure to trace metals and arsenic via consumption of fish from river Chenab, Pakistan and associated health risks.

This study provided the first hand data of trace elements into fish muscles (N = 65) collected from river Chenab in Pakistan during 2013, using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). We monitored the health risk associated with consumption of contaminated fish of river Chenab, by the local population. The mean concentrations (µg/g, wet weight), in descending order were: Zn (35.5-54.4), Cu (1.38-4.57), Mn (2.43-4.5), As (0.23-1.21), Cr (0.21-0.67), Ni (0.14-0.34), Pb (0.14-0.31), Co (0.09-0.12), Cd (0.07-0.12) with higher concentration to be observed in the herbivore fish species (i.e., Cirrhinus reba and Catla catla). The levels of trace elements in different fish species found in this study were compared with similar data worldwide, and with the international standards for consumption. The concentration (µg/g) of arsenic in many cases (>65%) exceeded the FAO/WHO expert committee on food additives permissible limits. From the human health point of view, this study highlights that the local inhabitants, (i.e., fisher folk communities and population frequently consuming fish at about 100 g/day) along the river Chenab are exposed chronically to arsenic pollution with carcinogenic (10-4 to 10-6) and non-carcinogenic (THQ>1) risks, especially from the intake of Cirrhinus reba.

Occurrence, bioaccumulation and risk assessment of dioxin-like PCBs along the Chenab river, Pakistan.

This study aimed to assess the occurrence, distribution and dietary risks of seven dl-PCBs (dioxin-like PCBs) in eleven collected fish species from Chenab river, Pakistan. ∑7dl-PCBs (ng g(-1), wet weight) burden was species-specific and the maximum average concentrations were found in Mastacembelus armatus (5.43), and Rita rita (5.1). Correlation of each dl-PCBs with δ(15)N%, indicated a food chain accumulation process of these chemicals into Chenab river, Pakistan. Species-specific toxicity of each dl-PCBs (WHO-PCBs TEQ) was calculated and higher values were found in three carnivore fish species i.e., M. armatus (2.5 pg TEQ g(-1)), R. rita (2.47 pg TEQ g(-1)), Securicola gora (2.98 pg TEQ g(-1)) and herbivore fish species i.e., Cirrhinus mrigala (2.44 pg TEQ g(-1)). The EDI (Estimated Daily Intake) values in most cases exceeded the WHO benchmark (4 pg WHO-TEQ kg(-1) bw d(-1)) evidencing a potential health risk for consumers via fish consumption from Chenab river.

Congener specific analysis, spatial distribution and screening-level risk assessment of polychlorinated naphthalenes in water and sediments from two tributaries of the River Chenab, Pakistan.

The number of reports regarding PCN screening-levels and ecological risk assessment in environmental compartments is limited. This study presents information on congener specific analysis, distribution pattern of PCN and ecological risk assessment via PCN exposure/contamination through water and sediment from two tributaries of the River Chenab, Pakistan. A total twenty eight samples of water and sediment were collected during Jan, 2013 to June, 2013 to analyze the ∑39PCN congeners. ∑39PCN concentrations ranged between 8.94 and 414 ng g(-1) dw and 178-489 ng l(-1) in sediment and water, respectively. Water exhibited higher TEQ values while in case of sediments TEQ values were at higher than the previously reported data from other parts of the world. This is the first report of PCNs' distribution pattern and screening-level risk assessment from Pakistan. The results of toxicity exposure of PCN warrant auxiliary devotion in future, to this group of contaminant.

PCNs (polychlorinated napthalenes): dietary exposure via cereal crops, distribution and screening-level risk assessment in wheat, rice, soil and air along two tributaries of the River Chenab, Pakistan.

There is a lack of scientific literature regarding the bioaccumulation, dietary and toxicity exposure of PCN via food crops. The current study presents the information of dietary intake, distribution pattern and screening level risk assessment of PCN in wheat, rice, soil and air along upstream feeding tributaries of the River Chenab, Punjab Province, Pakistan. A total six air and twenty eight of soil, wheat and rice samples were collected during Jan, 2013 to June, 2013 to analyze the thirty nine PCN congeners. ∑39PCN concentrations were ranged between 0.02 and 0.21 ng g(-1) dw, 0.02-1.21 ng g(-1) dw, 24.6-233 ng g(-1) dw and 1,222-5,052 pg m(-3) in wheat, rice, soil and air samples, respectively. In this study soil exhibited higher TEQ values while in case of air, wheat and rice TEQ concentrations were in accordance with the previously reported pattern from other parts of the world. Estimated daily intake (EDI) of ∑39PCN through consumption of wheat and rice was estimated as 0.21 ng kg(-1) (body weight)day(-1) and 0.03 ng kg(-1) (body weight)day(-1), respectively. This is the first report of PCN dietary intake and screening-level risk assessment by consumption of cereal crops from Pakistan. The results of dietary and toxicity exposure of PCN warrant auxiliary devotion in future, to this group of contaminant.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in air, soil, and cereal crops along the two tributaries of River Chenab, Pakistan: concentrations, distribution, and screening level risk assessment.

This study reports the first systematic data on PCB levels and their risk assessments by consumption of cereal food crops from Pakistan. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) including dioxin-like PCBs (dl-PCBs) were analyzed in wheat (n=28), rice (n=28), air (n=6), and soil (n=28) samples to assess the levels, spatial distribution pattern, and their risk assessments along with the two tributaries of River Chenab, Pakistan. ∑33PCB concentrations ranged between 0.15-2.22 ng g(-1)dW, 0.05-9.21 ng g(-1)dW, 0.70-30.5 ng g(-1)dW and 41-299 pg m(-3) in the wheat, rice, soil, and air samples, respectively. In the current study, comparatively lower dioxin toxicity equivalency (TEQ) values were calculated from the previously reported data. Hazardous ratio (HR) for human health risk assessment allied to non-cancer was found lower than integrity.

Health risk from As contaminated fish consumption by population living around River Chenab, Pakistan.

We analyzed six edible fish species (Securicola gora; Cirrhinus reba; Rita rita; Sperata sarvari; Culpisoma naziri and Labeo kalbasu) to evaluation As contamination. These species were caught from the River Chenab of Pakistan. The aim of this study was to determine the concentration of arsenic (As) and the antioxidant response in the muscle, liver and gills. The sampling sites were divided into agricultural, industrial and urban land uses. Although, the highest concentration of As, and the antioxidant activity was found in the liver, but the muscles also had a high concentration of As than that of gills. The range of As detected in these tissues was in the following order: Liver (0.009-3.95µgg(-1))>muscles (0.006-3.5µgg(-1))>gills (0.002-2.96µgg(-1)). Furthermore, the R. rita showed the highest concentration of As (2.18µgg(-1)) followed by S. sarvari (1.98µgg(-1)). The median concentrations of As, in the liver and muscles were also above the FAO/WHO, EPA permissible limits. The LPO activity was significantly related to As, which showed a possibility of cell membrane damage in these species. The human health risk assessment revealed that higher than normal concentration of As in muscle was particularly hazardous for the younger population.