Heavy metal pollution of the mid-canal of Kandy: an environmental case study from Sri Lanka

Journal Article · Sun Feb 01 00:00:00 EST 1987 · Environ. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/S0013-9351(87)80004-X· OSTI ID:6656634

Dissanayake, C B; Niwas, J M; Weerasooriya, S V

The mid-canal of Kandy, a 8-km effluent canal that runs through the city, collects massive quantities of domestic, municipal, and agricultural waste products. In this study, 37 samples from canal water and 13 from nearby drinking water wells were analyzed for their total Pb, Cd, V, Fe, and ferrous ion content. The following average values for the canal water were recorded: Pb, 269 micrograms/liter; Cd, 138 micrograms/liter; V, 18 micrograms/liter; total Fe, 4 mg/liter. These values indicate the relative levels of metal input from the effluent sources of the city of Kandy, the second largest city in Sri Lanka. The analysis of water from drinking wells near the canal showed high concentrations of metals, in some cases exceeding the maximum tolerance limits as recommended by WHO. The environmental impact of polluted city canals running through densely populated cities, particularly in developing countries, can assume serious proportions.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
• OSTI ID: 6656634
• Journal Information: Environ. Res.; (United States), Vol. 1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
DRINKING WATER
WATER POLLUTION
SRI LANKA
CADMIUM
CONTAMINATION
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
IRON
LEAD
VANADIUM
ASIA
ELEMENTS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
ISLANDS
METALS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
WATER
520200* - Environment
Aquatic- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)