Physicochemical Assessment of Textile Effluents in Chittagong Region of Bangladesh and Their Possible Effects on Environment

Abstract

This study was carried out to assess the untreated textile effluent quality in Chittagong region of Bangladesh. In order to study the different physicochemical parameters, effluent samples from fifteen selected textile industries were collected and analyzed during the period 2010-2011. Collected samples were analyzed for the parameters temperature, pH, EC, TDS, TSS, DO, BOD, COD, %NaCl, transparency, acidity, CO₂, alkalinity, total hardness, chloride, sulfate, phosphate, nitrate, nitrite, lithium, chromium, iron, manganese, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, arsenic, silver, cadmium and lead using the procedure outlined in the standard methods. The laboratory findings were compared with the recommended values set by the Department of Environment (DoE). Except the metals Li, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, As, Ag, Cd, Zn and Pb, and the anion nitrate the other parameters for most of the textile industries were found beyond the standard limit set by the DoE. Besides these the parameters namely color, transparency, acidity, CO₂, alkalinity, total hardness, %NaCl etc. for which no standard values are recommended by DoE were also not in good conditions. From Pearson Correlation program, significant positive and negative correlations were found for different parameters. These assessment data indicated that textile effluents of Chittagong region are highly polluted and these effluents, when discharged, leads to pollution of the nearby water body which affects not only the aquatic environment and human beings of the surroundings but also poses a serious threat to ground and surface water resources of the adjoining areas.