Assessment of Heavy Metals Contamination in Iron and Paper Pulp Industrial Wastewater, Nashik District, Maharashtra, India

IJEP 46(8): 755-763 : Vol. 46 Issue 8 (August 2026)

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Chaitali Sanjay Borse1*, Sunita S. Ghumare1, S.B. Dahikar2 and Rohini G. Deore3

1. Savitribai Phule Pune University, Department of Environmental Science, K.T.H.M. College, Nashik – 411 007, Maharashtra, India
2. Sanjivani College, Department of Microbiology, Kopargaon – 423 603, Maharashtra, India
3. Maratha Vidya Prasark Samaj’s, Shri Swami Shatkopacharyaji Maharaj Arts, Science and Commerce College, Saikheda, Nashik – 422 210, Maharashtra, India

Abstract

Heavy metal contamination of industrial wastewater, especially in the iron and paper-pulp industries, is an environmental concern and poses a risk to human health in developing economies. This study aimed to determine the extent of heavy metal pollution caused by industrial effluents from the Nashik district in Maharashtra, India. In addition, the bioremediation efficiency of native freshwater algal species was evaluated. As part of an 18-month experimental study (October 2022-April 2024), 12 wastewater samples were collected within the industrial territories of Satpur and Ambad MIDC (Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation). A native algal inoculum (1 g/L) consisting of Chlorella vulgaris, Scenedesmus quadricauda and Spirulina platensis was used for bioremediation under simulated conditions (25°C and pH 7-8) for 10 days. In the pre-treatment analysis, contamination was severe, with copper levels exceeding the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board standards by 8-18 times, lead by 45 times and iron exceeding the standard in 75% of the samples. COD ranged from 735-1470 mg/L. However, post-treatment analysis demonstrated exceptionally high removal, with COD at 98.6%, cadmium at 100% and nitrate at 83.8%.

Keywords

Heavy metal contamination, Industrial wastewater, Algal bioremediation, Phytoremediation, Sustainable treatment

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