were found to be higher during post-monsoon season while water
quality index (WQI) revealed that water quality was found to be
relatively better during the pre-monsoon season. The concentrations
of Ni, Pb and Cd in water samples were above the WHO level
recommended for aquatic life or domestic purpose. The suspended
sediment samples were more polluted as compared to the bed sediment
samples. The application of index of geoaccumulation and
the enrichment factor enabled us to find elevated contents of some
toxic metals, which indicated Cd moderate to high contamination
in the suspended and bed sediment samples. Potential risk index
revealed moderate ecological risk in the suspended sediment samples
of urban areas. The results of the present study suggested that
the River Soan should be given priority for effective waste management
purposes to sustain the ecological integrity.
Acknowledgments
This research work is conducted under the research project
“Ecological Impact Assessment of Selected Wetlands of Pakistan”
(project no. 02-828/RND/07), which was funded by the Higher
Education Commission. The authors are grateful to the Pakistan
Wetlands Programme for providing transport to Rawal Lake Reservoir
for the fish sampling.