Partitioning of Trace Elements in Different Components of a Highly Polluted Urban River Stretch in Delhi, India

Abstract

The study focuses on the partitioning of chromium, nickel, copper and lead among the components of the river Yamuna ecosystem (water, sediments, macrophytes and fish). The water is used for various purposes like irrigation, industrial, domestic and drinking. Almost zero dissolved oxygen and unacceptable levels of lead and phosphate pose a serious threat to the human and aquatic life. The concentration of the metals in the sediments is noticeably higher than that present at the reference site and the enrichment factors with respect to it vary.