Comparative appraisal of heavy metals and physicochemical parameters in industrial effluents from diverse sectors

Industrial wastewater discharge is a major contributor to the aquatic pollution owing to the occurrence of various contaminants. These contaminants, released from diverse industrial operations, accumulate in water bodies, threatening ecological and human health. Due to rapid development in industrialization developing countries face increased risks. The objective of this study was to assess heavy metals (Fe, Cr, Zn, Cu, Pb, Mn, Ni, Cd, Hg and As) across effluents from iron and steel, electroplating, pharmaceutical, and domestic sources from Kala Amb industrial area of Himachal Pradesh, India.The findings of this study revealed that sector-specific pollution signatures, with electroplating effluents showing the highest concentrations especially Fe (7.48 mg/L) and Ni (2.0 mg/L), while domestic discharge recorded higher Cd concentration (0.9 mg/L). These findings emphasize the urgent need for tailored, sector-specific treatment interventions to mitigate heavy metal pollution and protect regional water resources.