Concentration of selected toxic metals in groundwater and some cereals grown in Shibganj area of Chapai Nawabganj, Rajshahi, Bangladesh
This study is an attempt to assess the extent of toxic metals, including Pb, Cd, Cr, Mn and As in groundwater and some cereals collected from Shibganj area of Chapai Nawabganj, Rajshahi, Bangladesh. The chemical results of groundwater show that the mean concentrations of Pb, Cd and Mn exceed the values of WHO, USEPA as well as Bangladesh Drinking Water Standards. However, As content is within the permissible limits in terms of Bangladesh Drinking Water Standards, but exceeds the WHO and USEPA values. Cr is in negligible quantity in the examined groundwater samples. Results reveal wide variation in toxic metal content among the three cereal samples. In general, the mean toxic metal concentrations in cereals (rice, wheat and urid bean) are lower than the respective established safe limits for these elements, except for lead concentration in all samples.