Science Letters

Physicochemical Properties and Health Impacts of Flood and Post Flood on Drinking Water of Indus River System of Jamshoro, Sindh

Amjad Hussain Memon 1,2*, Allah Bux Ghanghro 2, Taj Mohammad Jahangir 3, Gul Muneer Lund 2, 4, Kashif Sahito 5, Hussain Ahmed Abro 1, Sajid Rehman Arain 1

1 Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China

2 Institute of Biochemistry, University of Sindh, Jamshoro, Sindh, Pakistan

3 Hi-tech Research Lab, University of Sindh, Jamshoro, Sindh, Pakistan

4 School of Life Sciences, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, Jilin, China

5 School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China.

Abstract

In this study, the comparative analysis of water quality during the flood (phase-I) and post-flood (phase-II) was carried out to understand its health concerns on local communities. The water samples were collected during the flood (August) and after the flood (November) in 2013 from Manchar Lake and surroundings and analyzed for the various physical, chemical and microbial parameters. Health quotient (HQ) carcinogenic, chronic and dermal for arsenic, iron, cadmium, cobalt, zinc and copper were measured. The results showed that pH was within the WHO range, but phase-II (8.4) were more saline than phase-I (7.48). The electric conductivity and total dissolved solids were within the normal range except samples from Manchar Lake and River/Lake link. However, turbidity was higher in phase-I (450 NTU) compared to phase-II (311). Total hardness, calcium hardness, and sulfates were also higher in samples of phase-II. The concentrations of the heavy metals were found to be in the order Fe (9674 ppb) > Mn (4700 ppb) > Zn (1347 ppb) > Cu (989 ppb) > Ni (811 ppb) > Co (355 ppb) > Cd (213.6 ppb) > As (50 ppb) in phase-II and Zn (1229 ppb) > Cu (1076 ppb) > Ni (296 ppb) > Co (258.7 ppb) > Fe (155 ppb) > As (50 ppb) in phase-I, respectively. Health quotient (HQ) carcinogenic for arsenic was normal. HQ chronic for As and Fe were observed insignificant, while for Cd and Ni were found above the normal range in phase-II. It can be concluded that drinking water available to local residents during the flood and after the flood was unsafe for domestic use. There is an urgent need for strict monitoring to ensure the quality of water supply in flood affected areas of Sindh, Pakistan.

Keywords Indus River, flood, health impacts, physicochemical, heavy metals, Jamshoro.

Received September 20, 2016 Accepted November 01, 2016 Abstract Published December 02, 2016 Manuscript Published December 15, 2016

*Corresponding author Amjad Hussain Memon E-mail ahmemon05@gmail.com