ASSESSMENT OF CADMIUM EXCEEDANCE AND PHYSICOCHEMICAL ANOMALIES IN FOUR URBAN DRAINS OF LUCKNOW: A DUAL-SEASON ICP- MS AND MULTIVARIATE ANALYSIS

ABSTRACTWastewater discharge into surface waters poses environmental risks, andcontaminates the surface water as well as ground water via leaching. Considering the heavypollution load due to natural and anthropogenic activities, the Gomti River has been chosento conduct this study. This study evaluated the physicochemical characteristics and heavymetal contamination in wastewater from four drainage sites in Lucknow district: HanumanSetu, China Bazar, Nishat Ganj, and Jopling Road. Using Inductively Coupled Plasma MassSpectroscopy (ICP-MS) samples showed the difference concentration of heavy metals duringmonsoon season and winter season due to various reasons and the water sample hardnesslevels also vary in both seasons. All heavy metals (As, Pb, Mo, Cu, Ni, Cr) were withinacceptable limits, except for cadmium (Cd), which exceeded WHO recommendations. Thefindings indicate that effluents are harmful for aquatic life and it need proper managementand require treatment before discharge in water bodies.