Aquatic ecosystems are exceedingly contrived due to industrial dispenses, as a huge amount of toxicants especially heavy metals are released, causing drastic effects on aquatic lives and the human body. This study was performed to assess the quality of point-source industrial wastewater at varying percentage levels and their subsequent hazardous effect on fish (Anabas cobojius) and human health. The perceived value revealed that water quality parameters declined with the increase of wastewater concentration and trace metal evaluation index (TEI) ascertained a high level of water pollution due to Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, and As content for all percentages of wastewater. Concentration of wastewater and culture treatment duration largely impacted on fish mortality rate, body dis-pigmentation, mucus secretion rate, coagulation of mucus all over the body, and accumulation of heavy metals by fish samples. Metal pollution index (MPI) indicated low contamination of fish by the measured elements. Zn and Hg exceeded the threshold limit of target hazard quotient (THQ > 1) and contributed significantly to non-carcinogenic health implications for both the population group. Maximum hazard index in adults and children was observed to be 10.638 and 16.548 for 100% effluent at 96-h exposure period and the overall HI value manifested a very high to medium significant health effects regardless of age. Carcinogen Pb showed insignificant risk but Cr and Ni showed extremely high to medium-high risk for both the population group, and children were found more vulnerable receptors than adults. However, source of heavy metals in wastewater and fish samples stipulated anthropogenic sources.
Keywords: EDXRF spectrometry; Pot culture; Potential source apportionment; Target cancer risk; Target hazard quotient.
© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.