🔬 Methodological Strengths

• Advanced analytical chemistry techniques (AAS, ICP-MS, LC-MS, GC-MS, HPLC)
• GIS & spatial mapping for environmental data
• AI & statistical modeling (Python, R-based systems)
• Field surveys and environmental sampling
• Laboratory-based toxicological assays

🤝 Collaborations & Impact

Hossain LAB actively collaborates with:

• Universities and research institutes
• Environmental and public health organizations
• Government and policy stakeholders

Impact Goals:

• Support Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 3, 6, 13
• Inform evidence-based environmental policies
• Develop innovative solutions for pollution control

As a leading researcher, perform research in the biochemistry and molecular biology areas. Research activities were established based on different projects.

Hossain et al. (2025) reported “a review of Potentially Toxic Elements in sediment, water, and aquatic species from the river ecosystems” on Toxics journal.  https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13010026. Briefly discussed about this paper.

There is concern over potential toxic elements (PTEs) impacting river ecosystems due to human and industrial activities. The river’s water, sediment, and aquatic life are all severely affected by the release of chemical and urban waste. PTE concentrations in sediment, water, and aquatic species from river ecosystems are reported in this review. Among the PTEs, chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and nickel (Ni) revealed high pollution levels in water and aquatic species (fish and shellfish) at many rivers. The Karnaphuli, Ganga, and Lee rivers have high levels of Pb and Cd contamination, while the Buriganga and Korotoa rivers’ water had notable Ni contamination.  A number of rivers with PTEs showed ecological risk as a consequence of the sediment’s potential ecological risk (PER), the pollutant load index (PLI), and the geoaccumulation index (Igeo). A comprehensive study suggests elevated PLI values in river sediments, indicating significant pollution levels, particularly in the Buriganga River sediment, marked by high Igeo values. The PER of the Shitalakshya and Buriganga rivers was marked as very high risk, with an Eir > 320, while the Dhaleshwari and Khiru rivers showed ‘high risk’, with 160 = Eir < 320. It was found that fish and shellfish from the Buriganga, Turag, and Swat rivers have a high concentration of Cr. PTE pollution across several river sites could pose health toxicity risks to humans through the consumption of aquatic species. The CR value shows the carcinogenic risk to human health from eating fish and shellfish, whereas an HI value > 1 suggests no carcinogenic risk. The occurrence of other PTEs, including manganese (Mn), arsenic (As), and nickel (Ni), significantly increases the ecological risk and concerns to aquatic life and human health. This study emphasises the importance of PTE toxicity risk and continuous monitoring for the sustainability of river ecosystems.

Keywords: PTE; river; risk assessment; anthropological activities; monitoring

The concentration and distribution of PTEs in river sediments, water, and aquatic species show regional variations formed by the particular interaction of geographical variables and anthropological activity and influenced by the specific river site and the amount of PTE pollution. Figure 1 showed Relative abundance (%) of PTEs in sediment of rivers worldwide. (Here, W7: Symsarna River, Poland; W14: Elbe River, Germany, W10: Ganga River, India; W9: Lubumbashi River, Congo; W11: Okumeshi River, Nigeria; W8: Yellow River, China; W6: Pra River, Ghana; W3: Atoyac River, Mexico; W1: SomesuMic River, Romania; W2: Barma River, Malaysia; W4: Saigon River, Vietnam; W5: Lee River, England; W12: Buyukmelen River, Turkey; W13: Liffey River, Ireland).

Among the rivers in Bangladesh, the Buriganga River sediment exhibits the highest concentration, followed by the Korotoa, Rupsha, Bangshi, Karnaphuli, Turag, Shitalakhya, Dhaleshwari, Meghna, Brahmaputra, and Louhajang rivers. Most river sites surpass the background levels of FAO and SEPAC for Pb, except the Brahmaputra River and Louhajang River sites. Worldwide river sites: other researchers have found Pb pollution in sediment such as in the Yellow River and Xiangjiang River, China, Gomti River, India, Gorges River, Australia, Louro River, Spain, Symsarna River, Poland, and Elbe River, Germany. A high relative abundance of Cd was reported in the Karnaphuli River in Bangladesh (Figure 2), whereas Raphael et al. [60] identified a comparable abundance at the Okumeshi River in Nigeria (Figure 1). Comparable levels of Cd pollution have been documented around the world, indicating the worldwide reach of the problem and emphasizing the need for efficient mitigation techniques. 

Figure 2 showed Relative abundance (%) of PTEs in sediment of Bangladeshi river. (Here, A5: Buriganga River; A1: Korotoa River; A9: Karnaphuli River; A2: Meghna River; A3: Shitalakshya River; A4: Rupsha River; A6: Brahmaputra River; A7: Louhajang River; A8: Halda River; A10: Meghna River; A11: Shitalakshya River; A12: Bangshi River; A13: Turag River; A14: Padma River; A15: Dhaleshwari River; A16: Khiru River).

Important Cr pollution is found in areas of the Buriganga River system, including the Hazaribag and Lalbag sites. Outside the nation, numerous researchers have discovered Cr pollution in sediment of various rivers, including the Yellow River, China, the Pra River, Ghana, and the Atoyac River, Mexico, which is a global concern for Cr pollution. A high relative abundance of Cr in sediment was found at the Buriganga River in Bangladesh (Figure 2), whereas discovered a comparable abundance at the Atoyac River in Mexico (Figure 1). Globally, diverse Cu concentrations have been recorded, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive monitoring and effective management strategies. Cu pollution in sediment has been reported worldwide, such as in the Yellow River in China, SomesuMic River, Romani, Barma River, Malaysia, and Liffey River, Ireland. A relatively high abundance of Cu was reported at the Louhajang River in Bangladesh (Figure 2), whereas a comparable abundance was found at the Lubumbashi river, Congo (Figure 1). The lowest effect threshold level is 16 mg/kg and in this case Brahmaputra River showed safety zone. Interestingly, notable Cu levels were shown at the Louhajang and Dhaleshwari river sites. While Zn is a crucial trace element for many species, high Zn concentrations can impact sediment ecosystems.The highest mean concentration (958.15 mg/kg and 502.3 mg/kg) in the Buriganga River site surpassed the background levels of SEPAC. An increasing number of people worldwide are becoming concerned about Zn contamination that has been found in sediment at the Elbe River, Germany, the Gardon of the Ales River in France, the SomesuMic River, Romania, Lee River, England and Liffey River, Ireland. Understanding and monitoring Ni contamination in sediment and aquatic environments is crucial for evaluating its potential environmental impacts and implementing appropriate remediation measures to safeguard the health of these ecosystems. Sediment ecology is becoming more of a concern globally due to the discovery of Ni contamination in sediment at the SomesuMic River, Romania (47.69 mg/kg), Barma River, Malaysia (40 mg/kg). Recently, the highest level of Ni (114.13 mg/kg) found in sediment along the river Korotoa.  A high level of Ni was reported at the Ganga River, India, Nile River, Egypt (112 mg/kg), Pra River, Ghana, and Liffey River, Ireland. Chronic exposure to Ni leads to unhealthy benthic communities, favouring species that are more tolerant to Ni contamination, altering species composition and disrupting ecosystem dynamics. Even changes in microbial communities affect nutrient cycling, sediment processes, and overall ecosystem health.

The study utilised the Pollution Load Index (PLI) as an indicator of sediment quality concerning PTEs. The PLI was calculated based on contamination factors for each metal and their corresponding background values. Yi et al. [91] reported PLI in the Yangtze River, China. Similarly PLI value found in the Buriganga and Turag river during the wintertime period ranged from 0.56 to 0.33 and 1.06 to 0.35, respectively, whereas the values for Buriganga and Turag in the summertime period were 0.51 to 0.29 and 1.006 to 0.35, respectively. PLI values exceeding 1 indicated pollution, and values below 1 indicated uncontaminated sediment. The Buriganga, Korotoa, Turag, Rupsha, Shitalakhya, Bangshi, Khiru, and Dhaleshwari rivers in Bangladesh exhibit Pollution Load Indices exceeding the permissible limit of 1, with the PLI range spanning from 0.21 to 9.34 within the research. The rivers examined displayed PLI values surpassing 1, indicating pollution, with the Buriganga and Shitalakshya rivers exhibiting considerable risk. The PLI value indicated that the Buriganga River sediment was in better condition in 2019 despite being severely contaminated in 2010 and 2011. The significantly raised PLI value of the Korotoa River sediment in 2022 is causing considerable concern for bottom-feeder aquatic species and river ecology.

Examination of the geoaccumulation index (Igeo) values revealed that the Buriganga River site was extremely polluted in 2011 due to Pb, Cd, Cr, and Cu contaminants, whereas in 2019 it showed moderate pollution. The Shithalakshya River site was shown to have unpolluted sediment in 2020 while being heavily contaminated by Cd pollution in 2014. The Korotoa River site was moderately polluted in 2022 due to Cd and Pb pollution while it was in an alarming condition in 2015. In contrast, 2015 recorded moderate pollution attributed to Cu, Zn, and Cd contaminants, while 2019 showed an absence of pollution, highlighting the potential ecological health risks (Figure 5). Other rivers, including the Karnaphuli, Khiru, and Dhaleshwari rivers, exhibit moderate levels of Cd contamination. Sediment sourced from the Korotoa River, the Rupsa River, the Bangshi River, and the Buriganga River sites demonstrates moderate Ni contamination. Furthermore, Igeo values below 0 are observed in significant river sites, indicating an unpolluted status. Further sediment quality analysis is indispensable to manage and ascertain the origins of pollution for potential ecological health. The River Pra, Ghana showed the moderately to extremely polluted with Pb and Ni. Igeo values in the Atoyac River, Mexico indicated unpolluted to moderately polluted with As, Cu, and Pb. The Igeo values in the SomesuMic River, Romania followed as Pb > Cd > Zn > Ni > Cu > Mn > Cr > Fe. Further sediment quality analysis is indispensable to manage and ascertain the origins of pollution for potential ecological health.

This review offers crucial insights into the ecological risks posed by PTE accumulation in river sediments, water, and aquatic species. The divergent pollution levels across various river sites and the intensified health risk in specific regions underscore the necessity for ongoing research on sediment, water, and aquatic species; proactive surveillance; and strategic interventions to ensure river ecosystems’ long-term vitality and sustainability. The findings highlight the pivotal role of interdisciplinary collaboration and well-informed decision making in mitigating the potential impact of PTE contamination on the environment and human populations. Potential toxic elements (PTEs) are released into the riverbank ecosystem and pollute river sediment, water, and aquatic species as a consequence of several industrial processes, including municipal trash, fuel refining, smelting, tannery waste, and chemical waste. An ecological risk assessment of sediment encompasses evaluation of potential adverse effects stemming from contaminants or stressors on sediment ecosystems and their inhabitants. Sediments serve as repositories for diverse pollutants, including PTEs, organic chemicals, and nutrients. Accumulation of these contaminants over time can endanger aquatic life, benthic organisms, and even humans through the food chain. This review details the extent of sediment, water, and aquatic species pollution in the river area. The presence of sediment pollution amplifies ecological risks, with approximately 83% of water bodies exhibiting high pollution rates. Across all the studied rivers, the average concentration of various PTEs (Pb, Cd, Cr, Cu, Zn, Ni) in sediment exceeded recommended Sediment Quality Guidelines (SQGs) ranges, following the order: Zn > Cr > Ni > Cu > Pb > Cd. Pollution Load Index (PLI > 1), PER index, and geoaccumulation (Igeo) index values collectively designate the Buriganga, Turag, Korotoa, Karnaphuli, Rupsha, and Shitalakshya river sites as heavily polluted due to PTE contamination. Effective management of pollutants is of paramount importance for minimizing the ecological impact of hazardous industrial materials and contaminants. Consequently, this study identifies, discusses, and underscores potential ecological risks using various risk assessment methodologies and established risk thresholds. There are concerns about human health due to PTEs’ contamination of water and aquatic species. Monitoring the river region’s environment necessitates continued research on sediment, water quality, and pollution dynamics, serving as a valuable foundation for future studies in this domain.

A model of PTE pollution in river sediment, water, and aquatic species, and showing possible toxicity risk in human health for different PTEs. According to Kim et al., liver disorders and cirrhosis are caused by Pb, As, and Cd pollution. Contamination with Cd, Pb, As, and Cr can cause skin illness and gastrointestinal upset. Tiredness, feeling sick, haemophilia, and electrolyte imbalance have all been linked to Zn toxicity. Long-term exposure to inorganic As can have negative consequences on the neurological system, haematological system, skin, liver, gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract, and cardiovascular system.Women will have difficulties becoming pregnant due to Pb, Cd, and As contamination. For human health, the NYSDOH categorises cancer risk (CR) as follows: if CR ≤ 10−6 = low; 10−4 to 10−3 = moderate; 10−3 to 10−1 = high; ≥10−1 = very high. We have found different toxicity effects on human health due to PTE pollution in wetland ecosystems.