HEAVY-METALS IN FRESHLY DEPOSITED SEDIMENTS OF THE GOMATI RIVER (A TRIBUTARY OF THE GANGA RIVER) - EFFECTS OF HUMAN ACTIVITIES

The concentrations of various metals (Cr, Cu, Co, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn, and Cd) were determined in recently deposited surface sediments of the Gomati River in the Lucknow urban area. Markedly elevated concentrati ons (milligrams per kilogram) of some of the metals, Cd (0.26-3.62), C u (33-147), Ni (45-86), Pb (25-77), and Zn (90-389) were observed. Pro files of these metals across the Lucknow urban stretch show a progress ive downstream increase due to additions from 4 major drainage network s discharging the urban effluents into the river. The degree of metal contamination is compared with the local background and global standar ds. The geoaccumulation index order for the river sediments is Cd > Zn > Cu > Cr > Pb. Significant correlations were observed between Cr and Zn, Cr and Cu, Cu and Zn and total sediment carbon with Cr and Zn. Th is study reveals that the urbanization process is associated with high er concentrations of heavy metals such as Cd, Cu, Cr, Pb, and Zn in th e Gomati River sediments. To keep the river clean for the future, it i s strongly recommended that urban effluents should not be overlooked b efore their discharge into the river.