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Surface water quality and heavy metal assessment in a tropical coastal zone for identifying favorable crop production seasons

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Abstract

This study evaluates seasonal variations in surface water quality and heavy metal contamination in the southern coastal region of Bangladesh, specifically in Amtali and Kalapara. Water samples were collected during summer, monsoon, and winter to assess physicochemical parameters, Water Quality Index (WQI), Irrigation Water Quality Index (IWQI), and heavy metal concentrations (Cd, As, Cu, Pb, and Cr). The updated WQI and IWQI values indicate that seasonal changes influence water quality and irrigation suitability. Monsoon samples exhibited the best water quality with WQI values ranging from 17.88 ± 6.37 in summer to 46.04 ± 16.96 in winter at Amtali, and from 26.45 ± 17.73 in summer to 60.51 ± 31.47 in winter at Kalapara, reflecting shifts from “good” to “unsuitable” conditions. The IWQI, however, remained in the “excellent” to “good” range across all seasons, with mean values of 22.27 ± 19.02 during the monsoon and 41.36 ± 7.59 in winter at Kalapara, indicating suitability for irrigation. Heavy metal concentrations were highest in winter, with Cd levels rising from 1.20 µg/L in summer to 2.15 µg/L in winter, exceeding WHO limits. Arsenic ranged from 0.10 to 0.50 µg/L, well below the WHO threshold of 10 µg/L. Lead (Pb) and Chromium (Cr) also showed elevated concentrations in winter. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) highlighted that rock-water interactions, evaporation, and anthropogenic inputs were significant contributors to seasonal variations in water quality. This study concludes that the monsoon and pre/post-monsoon seasons are the most favorable for crop irrigation in the region, minimizing the risk of heavy metal accumulation and salinity. It provides critical baseline data for sustainable water management and agricultural planning in coastal Bangladesh with relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Data availability

Data for this research is available upon request from the corresponding author.

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Acknowledgements

Authors express special thanks to the authority of Patuakhali science and Technology University and Khulna Agricultural University, Bangladesh for their support and facilities. The authors also grateful to the Science and Technology Ministry, Government of the Republic of Bangladesh for NST fellowship (No. 1259, Serial No. 2187; FY 2019–2020).

Funding

The authors extend their appreciation to the Deanship of Research and Graduate Studies at King Khalid University, KSA, for funding this work through the Small Research Group under grant number (RGP.1/266/46).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Khulna Agricultural University, Khulna, 9202, Bangladesh

    Tusar Kanti Roy

  2. Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Gopalganj Science and Technology University, Gopalganj, 8100, Bangladesh

    Md. Nahid Hasan Joy

  3. Department of Computer Science and Mathematics, Agricultural University, Mymensingh, 2200, Bangladesh

    Shahad Shahriar

  4. Deaprtment of Agricultural Economics, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, 1207, Bangladesh

    Sarowar Hossen

  5. Department of Environmental Science, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Patuakhali, 8660, Bangladesh

    Shahjahan Sheikh

  6. Department of Soil Science, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Patuakhali, Bangladesh

    Md. Saiful Islam

  7. Centre for River and Coastal Engineering (CRCE), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), 81310, Johor Bahru, Malaysia

    Zulhilmi Ismail

  8. Department of Water & Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), 81310, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

    Zulhilmi Ismail

  9. Department of Chemistry, College of Science, King Khalid University, 62529, Abha, Saudi Arabia

    Abubakr M. Idris

  10. Research Center for Advanced Materials Science (RCAMS), King Khalid University, 62529, Abha, Saudi Arabia

    Abubakr M. Idris

Authors

  1. Tusar Kanti Roy
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  2. Md. Nahid Hasan Joy
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  3. Shahad Shahriar
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  5. Shahjahan Sheikh
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  6. Md. Saiful Islam
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  7. Zulhilmi Ismail
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  8. Abubakr M. Idris
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Contributions

Tusar Kanti Roy: Conceptualization, Original Draft-Writing, Data curation, Investigation; Md. Nahid Hasan Joy: Formal Analysis, Original Draft, Investigation, Data curation, Shahad Shahriar: Data Analysis, Visualization, Original Draft, Conceptualization; Sarower Hossen: Investigation, Original Writing, Shahjahan Sheikh: Format analysis, software, validation, reviewing; Md. Saiful Islam: Conceptualization, Original Draft- Review and writing, Investigation, supervision, Zulhilmi Ismail: Format analysis, software, validation, reviewing, supervision. Abubakr M. Idris: Format analysis, Funding acquisition, reviewing.

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Tusar Kanti Roy, Md. Saiful Islam or Abubakr M. Idris.

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Roy, T.K., Joy, M.N.H., Shahriar, S. et al. Surface water quality and heavy metal assessment in a tropical coastal zone for identifying favorable crop production seasons.
Sci Rep (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-44051-0

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