@Research Paper
<#LINE#>Evaluation of the physico-chemical and bacteriological parameters of groundwater consumed in the rural areas of the commune of save<#LINE#>AÏSSEKOU Carbegie Djidémi @Jaël,KOUMOLOU Luc @Babatoundé,YESSOUFOU @Arouna,GOUETI @Basile,ADANLOKONON @Elias,ELEGBEDE Manou @Bernadin,SINA @Haziz <#LINE#>1-6<#LINE#>1.ISCA-IRJEvS-2025-019.pdf<#LINE#>Laboratory of Research in Biochemistry and Environmental Toxicology, Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin@Laboratory of Research in Biochemistry and Environmental Toxicology, Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin@Laboratory of Applied Hydrology, National Water Institute, University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin@Laboratory of Biology and Molecular Typing in Microbiology, Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin@Laboratory of Research in Biochemistry and Environmental Toxicology, Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin@Department of water and Sanitation, National Water Institute, University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin@Laboratory of Biology and Molecular Typing in Microbiology, Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin<#LINE#>16/9/2025<#LINE#>29/10/2025<#LINE#>This work focused on the study of the physicochemical and bacteriological quality of water from some boreholes used for drinking water in certain areas located in the commune of Savè (Alafia, Igbodja and Oké-owo) to determine whether they represent a public health risk for these populations. The samples were analyzed at the laboratory of the production department of SONEB in Gobé. The analyses concerned physical parameters such as temperature and electrical conductivity which were measured with a HANNA type conductivity meter, turbidity measured using a HANNA type turbidimeter and pH measured with a HANNA type pH meter; the chemical parameters concerned are, the Total Alkalimetric Title (TAC); Total Hardness (TH); chloride ions (Cl-); free CO2; Oxidability; aggressive CO2 which are volumetric dosages and the dosage of total Iron (Fe2+); Total manganese (Mn2+); Ammonium (NH4+); Nitrates; Nitrites (NO-3); Sulfates (SO42-), which are colorimetric assays. Bacteriological analyses consisted of counting germs and performing a presumptive test. The chemical quality of the sampled borehole waters revealed average mineralization, with average concentrations of calcium, magnesium, chlorides, sulfates, and nitrates of 58.73mg/L, 37.33mg/L, 60.11mg/L, 53.66 mg/L, and 54.66 mg/L, respectively. Furthermore, the hydrometric titration results revealed that all the waters were hard, particularly those from the villages of Alafia and Oké-owo. As for the village of Igbodja, it has a high nitrate level (120 mg/L), so its water poses a risk of methemoglobin for infants and fetuses. The village of Oké-owo, for its part, has a high electrical conductivity level (1091 µs/cm). The other elements present concentrations that meet the WHO and Beninese standards. Iron in the water does not present a worrying level (0.1 mg/L). Furthermore, microbiological analyses reveal results ranging from "0" to "countless" for the detection of common germs, and a "positive" result for the presumptive detection of total coliforms for most of the water analyzed, meaning it is not suitable for consumption. This water therefore poses a risk to consumer health. To protect consumer health, it is urgent that the ANAEPMR expand its activities.<#LINE#>Garcia E., (2024).@The essential role of water: a critical resource for life and sustainability.@J Aquat Pollut Toxicol, 8, 27, 10.21767/2581-804X-8.3.27@No$Hossain, M. Z., & Floryan, J. M. (2014).@Natural convection in a fluid layer periodically heated from above.@Physical Review E, 90(2), 023015.@Yes$Touahria K. (2013).@Evaluation of the quality of borehole water by comparing its physicochemical characteristics (Tébessa region).@Master@No$Anaepmr, (2024).@Universal access to drinking water in Benin, semi-annual report (January-June).@@No$World Health Organization. (1991).@Water supply, sanitation and health in rural areas: report of the second consultation of the WHO Working Group on Water, Sanitation and Health, Geneva, 9-11 April 1991 (No. WHO/CWS/91.5).@World Health Organization.@Yes$Amadou M., (2008).@The problem of communication in local governance in Benin: the case of the commune of Save.@@No$EPA, U. (2005).@Quick guide to drinking water sample collection.@USR Laboratory and Editors.@Yes$Schürch M., Monica Bulgheroni, Michael Sinreich, (2009).@Groundwater Temperature, Federal Office for the Environment (FOEV).@Hydrology Division, p. 44.@No$World Health Organization. (2004).@Guidelines for drinking-water quality (Vol.1).@World Health Organization.@Yes$Belghiti, M. L., Chahlaoui, A., Bengoumi, D., & El Moustaine, R. (2013).@Etude de la qualité physico۔ chimique et bactériologique des eaux souterraines de la nappe plio-quaternaire dans la région de Meknès (Maroc).@Larhyss Journal, (14).@Yes$Rodier J., (2009).@Water Analysis. 9th Edition Fully Updated.@Dunod Paris, pp. 86, 78, 50.@No$Dib, I. (2009).@The impact of agricultural and urban activity on the groundwater quality of the Gadaine plain-Ain Yaghout (East Algerian).@Magister memory in hydraulics, hydro-technical construction and environment, Faculty of Engineering Sciences, hydraulic department, University of Hadj Lakhdar Batna, 127.@Yes$Zouaoui S, (2014).@Determination of nitrites, nitrates, sulfates, and orthophosphates in the waters of some boreholes in the city of Djelfa.@26.@No$El Ouedghiri, K., El Oualti, A., El Ouchy, M., Zerrouq, F., Chahdi, F., & Lalami, A. (2014).@Risques sanitaires liés aux composés chimiques contenus dans l’eau de boisson dans la ville de Fès: Cas des ions nitrates et nitrites (Health risks of the chemicals in drinking water in the city of Fez: nitrate and nitrite ions).@J. Mater. Environ. Sci, 5(S1), 2284-2292.@No$Dovonou, F. (2014).@Groundwater pollution by heavy metals and their impact on the environment : the case of the superficial aquifer of the Godomey intensive catchment area in southern Benin.@Doctoral thesis, UAC. 64.@Yes$Drouiche A., (2012).@Contribution to the Study of Specific Vulnerability to Pollution by Trace Metals and Hydrocarbons in the Groundwater of East Mitidja.@De Magister Dissertation, p. 95.@No$Guessoum, H., Benbrahim, F., Halilat, M. T., Laouar, F., Bensalama, M., & Darem, S. (2015).@Pollution biologique des eaux phréatiques de la région de Ghardaia (Cas de Sebseb).@Journal of Advanced Research in Science and Technology, 2(2), 246-257.@Yes$El Haissoufi H., Barradah S., Marzuqi M., Aabouch M., Bennani L., Benlemlih M.… [et al.]. (2011).@Pollution of Well Water in Certain Neighborhoods of the City of Fez, Morocco.@J. Ind. Sanit. Environ. Microbiol, 5(1), p. 56.@No$Barwick, R. S., Levy, D. A., Craun, G. F., Beach, M. J., & Calderon, R. L. (2000).@Surveillance for waterborne-disease outbreaks—United States, 1997–1998.@MMWR CDC Surveill Summ, 49(4), 1-21.@Yes$Zmirou, D., Ferley, J. P., Collin, J. F., Charrel, M., & Berlin, J. (1987).@A follow-up study of gastro-intestinal diseases related to bacteriologically substandard drinking water.@American journal of public health, 77(5), 582-584.@Yes$Goodman, R. A., Buehler, J. W., Greenberg, H. B., Mckinley, T. W., & Smith, J. D. (1982).@Norwalk gastroenteritis associated with a water system in a rural Georgia community.@Archives of Environmental Health: An International Journal, 37(6), 358-360.@Yes$Craun, G. F., Nwachuku, N., Calderon, R. L., & Craun, M. F. (2002).@Outbreaks in drinking-water systems, 1991-1998.@Journal of Environmental Health, 65(1), 16.@Yes
<#LINE#>Prevalence of bacteria resistant to antibiotics in reclaimed domestic wastewater used for irrigation in Maasai Mara University African Medicinal Botanical Garden, Narok<#LINE#>Doryce @Ndubi,Aloys @Osano,Romulus @Abila <#LINE#>7-13<#LINE#>2.ISCA-IRJEvS-2025-020.pdf<#LINE#>Department of Biological Sciences, Maasai Mara University, Kenya@Department of Mathematics and Physical Sciences, Maasai Mara University, Kenya@Department of Environmental Studies, Geography and Planning; Maasai Mara University, Kenya<#LINE#>13/11/2025<#LINE#>14/12/2025<#LINE#>Increase in global population and urbanization has resulted in escalation in water consumption and increased generation of waste water which has posed a sanitation challenge. Point sources like wastewater treatment plants are assumed to participate in discharge and availability of bacteria which are resistant to antibiotics into the environment. This study aimed to isolate and determine antimicrobial profile of bacterial pathogens from wastewater in the Maasai Mara University wastewater treatment plant, located at the Maasai Mara University African Medicinal Botanical Garden, Narok, Kenya. Sample collection using quota sampling method and analysis were carried out using standard microbiological protocols. Bacterial isolation was done on Eosin methylene blue and Mac Conkey agar. Identification of isolates was performed using the IMVIC panel of biochemical tests. Additionally, the microbial isolates were exposed to a panel of antibiotics using the Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method to determine their resistance pattern to commonly used antibiotics. Bacterial types obtained from the wastewater used for irrigation at the Botanical Garden included Enterobacter spp, Proteus vulgaris, Proteus mirabilis and Escherichia coli. These isolates were subjected to ampicillin, tetracycline, cotrimoxazole, streptomycin, kanamycin, gentamycin, sulfamethoxazole and chloramphenicol antibiotics. Their activity ranged from susceptible, intermediate to resistant against all the antibiotics for all the isolates under study. The E. coli, P. vulgaris and P. mirabilis strains isolated exhibited multi-drug resistance. 2-way ANOVA results showed that there was no significant difference in antibiotic susceptibility to the panel of antibiotics (p=0.282) by the isolates. It was noted that the reclaimed wastewater utilized for irrigation of the Botanical Garden was contaminated with pathogenic bacteria that were resistant to commonly used antibiotics and posed an obvious threat to the health of animals, visitors, students and staff. Widespread unregulated use of antibiotics maybe prevalent among the University community, the source of the wastewater. Further treatment of the water should therefore be carried out in order to eliminate the microbes before release to the environment.<#LINE#>Idris, I. A., & Yahaya, A. S. D. (2023).@Indiscriminate Use of Antibiotic in Commercial Poultry Farms.@Nigerian Journal of Animal Production, 1486–1489. https://doi.org/10.51791/njap.vi.7017,@Yes$Badrul, H., Md, Z.A & Grant, R. (2024).@Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli isolated in Poultry farms in Bangladesh that use antibiotics extensively.@Microbial Drug Resistance, 30(11). https://doi.org/10.1089/ mdr.2024.0005,@Yes$Serwecinska, L. (2020).@Antimicrobials and Antibiotic- Resistant Bacteria: A Risk to the Environment and to Public Health.@Water, 12(12), 3313. https://doi.org/10.3390/ w12123313,@Yes$Diana, N.B., Sigrid, M.S., & Jules, B.L. (2013).@Reclamation of Used Urban Waters for Irrigation Purposes- A Review of Treatment Technologies.@Journal of Environmental Management, 122, 85-98. https://doi.org /10.1016/j.jenvman.2013.03.012,@Yes$Omar, A., Souad, A. & Khadija, B. (2021).@Pathogenic Parasites in Sewage Irrigated Crops and Soil: Pattern of Occurrence and Health Implications.@International Journal of Environmental Health Research, 32(7), 1594-1608. https://doi.org/10.1080/09603123.2021.1898551@Yes$Priya, Y., Rahul, P.S., Rajan, K.G., Twinkle, P., Arnit, R., Sandeep, K.S., Kaushalendra, Kapil, D.P. & Ajay, K. (2023).@Chapter- Seven- Contamination of Soil and Food Chain through Wastewater Application.@Advances in Chemical Pollution, Environmental Management and Protection, 9, 109-132 https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.apmp. 2022.11.001,@Yes$WHO (2024).@WHO bacterial priority pathogens list, 2024: Bacterial pathogens of public health importance to guide research, development and strategies to prevent and control antimicrobial resistance.@WHO Publications. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240093461@Yes$CDC (2025).@CDC Report finds a sharp rise in dangerous drug-resistant bacteria.@CDC Newsroom. https:// www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2025/2025-cdc-report- finds-sharp-rise-in-dangerous-drug-resistant-bacteria.html,@Yes$Lizbeth, E.R., Edgar, A., Octavio, A.C., Beatriz, S.S., Rutilio, O., Marta, M., Xunde, L., Juan, C., Einar, V. & Manuel, G. (2022).@Worldwide Traceability of Antibiotic Residues from Livestock in Wastewater and Soil: A Systemic Review.@Animals, 12(1), 60 https://doi.org/ 10.3390/ani12010060,@Yes$Gwenzi, W., Ngaza, N., Marumure, J., &Makwava, Z. (2023).@Occurrence and Health Risks of Antibiotic Resistance in African Aquatic Systems. In: Abia, A.L.K., Essack, S.Y.(Eds).@Antimicrobial Research and One Health in Africa. Springer. https://link.springer.com/ chapter/ 10.1007/978-3-031-23796-6_7,@Yes$Kairigo, P., Ngumba, E., Dandberg, L., Gachanja, A., & Tuhkanen, T. (2022).@Occurrence of Antibiotics and Risk of Antibiotic Resistance Evolution in Selected Kenyan Wastewaters, surface waters and sediments.@Science of the Total Environment, 720. https://doi.org/10.1016/ j.scitotenv.2020.137580,@Yes$Mathenge, S.G., Njoroge, W.G., & Mutuku, O.M. (2018).@Assessment of Selected Antibiotics in Untreated Wastewater and Vegetables in Urban and Peri-urban Farms in Eastern Nairobi City, Kenya.@European Journal of Pharmaceutical and Medical Research, 5(19), 117-122.@Yes$Karimi, K.J., Ngumba, E., Ahmad, A., Duse, A.G., Olago, D., & Ndwigah, S.N. (2013).@Contamination of Groundwater with Sulfamethoxazole and Antibiotic Resistant Escherichia coli in Informal Settlements in Kisumu, Kenya.@PLOS Water, 2(4), e0000076. https://doi.org/10.1371/ journal.pwat.0000076,@Yes$Onyango, J.A., Githaiga, B., Njuguna, S., Wanzala, W., Yan, X. (2020).@Harnessing the potential of common water hyacinth as an industrial raw material for the production of quality biofuel briquettes.@SN Applied Sciences, 2(8). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-020-3109-1,@Yes$Singh, A. & Masaku, B. (2014).@Sampling techniques & determination of sample size in applied statistics research: an overview.@International Journal of Economics, Commerce and Management, 2(11).@Yes$Sonu, C. (2015).@Enumeration and Identification of Standard Plate Count Bacteria in Raw 	Water Supplies.@Journal of Environmental Science, Toxicology and Food Technology, 9(2).@Yes$Mahmood, S. (2021).@Isolation, Identification and Antibiotic Sensitivity of E. coli and Salmonella species from hospital wastewater in Dhaka City.@D Space Repository.@Yes$Nanthini, S.V., Kumari, T.S., & Bakthasingh, L. (2021).@Assessment on Impact of Sewage in Coastal Pollution and Distribution of Fecal Pathogenic Bacteria With Reference to Antibiotic Resistance in the Coastal Area of Cape Comovin, India.@Marine Pollution Bulletin,175,113-123. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.113123@Yes$Bauer, A.W., Kirby, W.M., Shevis, J.C., & Turck, M. (1966).@Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing by a Standardized Single Disk Method.@American Journal of Clinical Pathology, 45(4), 493-496. https://doi.org/ 10.1093/ajcp/45.4_ts.493@Yes$Belayneh, R.D., Eyayu, G., Mheret, T. & Mohamed, S. (2021).@Assessment of the Bacteriological Profile and Antibiotic Susceptibility Patterns of Wastewater in health Facilities of Ethiopia.@International Journal of Microbiology. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/9969479,@Yes$Madigan, M.T., Martinko, J.M. and Parker, J. (2006).@Brock Biology of Microorganisms: an International Edition, 11th ed.@Prentice- Hall International, Inc, Upper Saddle River, NJ.@Yes$Kanokhathai, B., & Jittima, C. (2011).@Biodegradation of Acrylamide by Enterobacter Aerogenes Isolated fromWastewater in Thailand.@Journal of Environmental Sciences, 23(3), 396-403. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1001-0742(10)60422-6,@Yes$Mahmoud, S.K., Mohamed, A.E., Ahmed, R.G., & Ehab, A.B. (2023).@Bioremediation of Industrial Wastewater Heavy Metals Using Solo and Consortium Enterobacter spp.@Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 195, (1357). https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10661-023-11951-x,@Yes$Gemechu, A., Olifan, Z., Abdulhakim, M., Amante, A. & Asmera, B. (2018).@Bacteriological Quality of Drinking Water Obtained from Main Sources, Reservoirs and Consumers Tap in Arba, Minch Town, Southern Ethiopia.@African Journal of Microbiology Research, 12(24), 567-573 https://doi.org/10.5897/AJMR2018.8871@Yes$Shahabaldin, R.S., Mohanadors, P., Mohd, F., Shhreeshivadasan, C.S., & Fadzlin, S. (2016).@Effectiveness of Eichhornia crassipes in nutrient removal from Domestic Wastewater Based on Its Optimum Growth Rate.@Desalination and Water Treatment, 57(1), 360-365@Yes$Yoshihiro, S., Yuki, K., Ryota, F., Rikako, K., Ryumi, N., Emi, N. & Shoichiro, T. (2025).@Comparison of Antimicrobial- Resistant E. coli and other Coliforms from Upstream to Estuary Sections in Three Rivers with DifferentBasin Characteristics.@Journal of Water and Health. https://doi.org/10.2166/wh.2025.128@Yes$Xiang, C., Xiu, L. L., Ai-Ling, X., Zhi-Wen, S., Juan, Y., & Ming-Yue, G. (2019).@Seasonal Variability in the Microbial Community and Pathogens in Wastewater Final Effluents.@Water, 11(12), 2586 https://doi.org/10.3390/ w11122586@Yes$Singer, R.S., Naut, A.J., Sargeant, J.M., Hwang, H., Williams- Nguyen., & J. Bueno, T. (2017).@Systematic Review: impact of point sources on antibiotic- resistant bacteria in The Natural environment.@Zoonoses and Public Health, 65(1), e162- e184. https://doi.org/10.1111/ zph.12426,@Yes$Munir, M., Sorinolu, A.J., Tyagi, N., & Kumar, A. (2021).@Antibiotic resistance development and human health risks during wastewater reuse and biosolids application in Agriculture.@Chemosphere, 265. https://doi.org/10.1016/ j.chemosphere.2020.129032,@Yes$Kumar, M., Chaminda, T., Honda, R. & Furumai, H. (2019).@Vulnerability of Urban Waters to Emerging Contaminants in India and Sri Lanka: Resilience Framework and Strategy.@APN Science Bulletin, 9(1) http://doi:10.30852/ sb.2019.799,@Yes$Attia, A.E., Wael, M.A., & Ahmed, N.I. (2015).@Prevalence of antibiotic resistant E. coli in some environmental sources polluted with wastewater.@Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology Research, 5(5), 17-24.@Yes$Denissen, J., Reyneke, B., Monique, W., Havenga, B., Barnard, T., Khan, S., & Khan, W. (2022).@Prevalence of ESKAPE pathogens in the environment: Antibiotic resistance Status, community- acquired infection and risk to human health.@https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheh.2022. 114006,@Yes$Zagui, G.S., Moreira, N.C., Santos, D.V., Paschoalato, C.F., Sierra, J.L, Nadal, M., Domingo, J., Darini, A.L., & Segura-Munoz, S.I. (2023).@Multidrug resistant Enterobacter spp in wastewater and surface water. Molecular characterization Beta- lactam resistance and metal tolerance genes.@Environmental Research, 233. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2023.116443,@Yes$Serry, F.M., Gomaa, S.E., & Abbas, H.A. (2018).@Antimicrobial resistance of clinical Proteus mirabilis isolated from different sources.@Zagazig Journal of Pharmaceutical 	Sciences, 27(1), 57-63. https://doi.org/10.21608/zjps.2018.38156,@Yes$Larsson, J.D.G. & Carl-Fredrick, F. (2022).@Antibiotic resistance in the environment.@Nature Reviews Microbiology, 20, 257-269.@Yes$Al-Gheethi, A.A., Mohamed, R.M.S., Efaq, A.W., &Alashim, A.M.K. (2015).@Reduction of Microbial Resk Associated with Grey Water by Disinfection Processes for Irrigation.@Journal of Water Health, 14(3), 379-398.@Yes
<#LINE#>Comparative Spatiotemporal assessment and bioaccumulation strategies of Heavy Metals Across Protected, Pilgrimage and Urbanized Zones of the Pamba River Basin, Kerala, South India<#LINE#>Vidhya @Vasudevan,R. Aruna @Devy <#LINE#>14-22<#LINE#>3.ISCA-IRJEvS-2025-024.pdf<#LINE#>Department of Zoology, Catholicate College, Pathanamthita, Kerala, India@Department of Zoology, St. Thomas College, Ranni, Kerala, India<#LINE#>12/12/2025<#LINE#>30/12/2025<#LINE#>The Pamba River is one of the major freshwater systems in Kerala, India. It plays a crucial ecological and socio-cultural role, particularly due to the annual Sabarimala pilgrimage that significantly increases human influence on the river basin. The present study provides a comparative spatiotemporal assessment of heavy metal concentrations across protected, pilgrimage, and urbanised zones of the Pamba River. It evaluates the bioaccumulation patterns in selected fish species from selected sites, also using water and sediment samples collected from Kakki Reservoir, Pamba, Chengannur and Punnamada regions. Heavy metals, including Al, Cr, Zn, Cd, and Pb, were quantified using standard analytical protocols. Results indicated substantially higher concentrations of Al and Cr in pilgrimage and urban regions, while protected upstream sites showed lower contamination. Sediments exhibited strong metal accumulation, especially for Al, Zn and Cr, reflecting combined geogenic and human-derived inputs. Bioaccumulation analysis in Anabas testudineus and Etroplussuratensis revealed elevated uptake of Al and Cr, indicating their sensitivity to fluctuating environmental metal loads. Seasonal comparison further showed increased metal concentrations during the pilgrimage period, highlighting the impact of large-scale human presence. Overall, the findings demonstrate progressive but spatially variable metal enrichment in the Pamba River system and emphasise the need for continuous monitoring, improved waste management during peak pilgrimage seasons and targeted conservation measures to safeguard this culturally and ecologically important river. Overall, the integrated dataset indicates that the Pamba River is undergoing uneven but progressive heavy metal enrichment driven by natural weathering, pilgrimage-associated disturbances and urban effluents in downstream sections. These findings highlight the need for sustained monitoring, improved waste management strategies during peak pilgrim seasons and targeted ecological restoration to preserve the river’s health and long-term sustainability.<#LINE#>Gopal, B. (2005).@Does inland aquatic biodiversity have a future in Asian developing countries?.@Hydrobiologia, 542, 69–75. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-004-5529-3@Yes$Vörösmarty, C. J., McIntyre, P. B., Gessner, M. O., et al. (2010).@Global threats to human water security and river biodiversity.@Nature, 467, 555–561. https://doi.org/10. 1038/nature09440@Yes$Central Water Commission (CWC) (2019).@Water and related statistics.@Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India.@Yes$Kumar, V., Sharma, A., Kumar, R., Bhardwaj, R., Thukral, A. K., & Rodrigo-Comino, J. (2017).@Assessment of heavy metal pollution in river water: A review.@Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 189, 540. https://doi.org/10. 1007/s10661-017-6284-z@Yes$Chapman, D. (1996).@Water quality assessments: A guide to the use of biota, sediments and water in environmental monitoring (2nd ed.).@E & FN Spon, WHO/UNEP.@Yes$Garg, R. K., Rao, R. J., & Uchchariya, D. (2010).@Seasonal variations in water quality and major threats to Ramsagar reservoir, India.@Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 168, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-009-1091-8@Yes$Sharma, D., Kansal, A., & Pelto, J. (2015).@Water quality changes due to religious mass bathing events.@Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 187, 237. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-015-4464-x@Yes$Varol, M., & Şen, B. (2012).@Assessment of nutrient and heavy metal contamination in surface water using multivariate statistical techniques.@Environmental Research, 118, 164–175. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres. 2012.08.004@Yes$Dwivedi, S., Mishra, S., & Tripathi, R. D. (2018).@Ganga water pollution: A potential health threat to inhabitants of Ganga basin.@Journal of Environmental Biology, 39, 707–714.@Yes$Ali, H., Khan, E., & Ilahi, I. (2019).@Environmental chemistry and ecotoxicology of hazardous heavy metals: Environmental persistence, toxicity, and bioaccumulation.@Journal of Chemistry, 2019(1), Article ID 6730305. https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/6730305@Yes$Förstner, U., & Wittmann, G. T. W. (2012).@Metal pollution in the aquatic environment.@Springer-Verlag@Yes$Singh, A., Sharma, R. K., Agrawal, M., & Marshall, F. M. (2010).@Health risk assessment of heavy metals via dietary intake of foodstuffs from wastewater irrigated sites.@Food and Chemical Toxicology, 48, 611–619. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fct.2009.11.04@Yes$Nair, S. M., & Balchand, A. N. (2015).@Water quality assessment of rivers in Kerala, India.@Journal of Aquatic Biology & Fisheries, 3, 51–58.@Yes$Harikumar, P. S., Nasir, U. P., & Rahman, M. P. M. (2009).@Distribution of heavy metals in the core sediments of a tropical wetland system.@International Journal of Environmental Research, 3(3), 361–372.@Yes$Sreejith, M. P., Mohan, M., &Muraleedharan, K. R. (2013).@Impact of pilgrimage activities on water quality of Pamba River, Kerala, India.@Journal of Environmental Biology, 34, 341–347.@Yes$Authman, M. M. N., Zaki, M. S., Khallaf, E. A., & Abbas, H. H. (2015).@Use of fish as a bio-indicator of the effects of heavy metal pollution.@Journal of Aquatic Research and Development, 6(4), 1–13.@Yes$Dural, M., Göksu, M. Z. L., & Özak, A. A. (2007).@Investigation of heavy metal levels in economically important fish species captured from the Tuzla Lagoon.@Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 130, 411–423. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-006-9403-9@Yes$Chen, M., & Ma, L. Q. (2001).@Comparison of three aqua regia digestion methods for twenty Florida soils.@Soil Science Society of America Journal, 65(2), 491–499.https://doi.org/10.2136/sssaj2001.652491x@Yes$Sreenivasa, R. B., Prathima, B., Rajesh, N. M., & Shashikumar, N. S. (2014).@Assessment of heavy metal contamination in soil and groundwater at automobile waste disposal sites in Davangere City, Karnataka, India.@International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences, 3(9), 533–542. https://www.ijcmas.com@Yes