The present research work deals with the assessment of water pollution due to Shipbreaking activities and its impact on the coastal zone of Chittagong, Bangladesh. In order to study the different physicochemical parameters, water samples from thirty Ship-breaking yards were collected and analyzed during the hydrological year 2011-2012. Collected water samples were analyzed for the following parameters using the procedure outlined in the standard methods: pH: 6.79 -8.22, EC: 25150-32500 µS cm-1, TDS: 9370-17740 mg L-1, TSS: 512-724 mg L-1, %NaCl: 30.21-60.8, DO: 3.01-6.89 mg L-1, BOD: 0.51 -3.17 mg L-1, COD: 178-338 mg L-1, acidity: 5.40 -9.02 mg L-1, alkalinity: 229.47 -310.19 mg L-1, total hardness: 750-1100 mg L-1, chloride: 10138.70 -21535.87 mg L-1, sulfate: 540.12 -608.64 mg L-1, phosphate: 1.062 -2.177 mg L-1, nitrite: 0.005 -0.030 mg L-1, nitrate: 0.256 -0.781 mg L-1, cadmium: 0.020 -0.039 mg L-1, chromium: 0.035 -0.790 mg L-1, cobalt: 0.018 -0.055 mg L-1, copper: 0.023 -0.845 mg L-1, iron: 19.025-33.40 mg L-1, lead: 0.015 -0.043 mg L-1, manganese: 1.21 -2.648 mg L-1, nickel: 0.005 -0.049 mg L-1, silver: 0.021 -0.074 mg L-1, zinc: 0.097 -0.870 mg L-1.The laboratory findings were compared with the recommended values set by Department of Environment(DoE), and standard calculated on the BSTI and WHO value. Some parameters recorded as higher value compare to the international permissible limits in water. The study reveals that pollutants due to Ship-breaking are highly toxic in nature. This affects not only the aquatic environment and human beings of the surroundings but also poses a serious threat to ground and surface water resources of the adjoining areas and the coastal environment of Chittagong region. Also it is indicated that the water of ship breaking yards are continuously polluting the Bay of Bengals and the rivers of Chittagong, especially the water of Karnafuli River is being polluted greatly. The polluted water of the Karnafuli River may affect the biodiversity of the Halda River. Though Ship-breaking has earned a good reputation for being a profitable industry in developing countries it could be said that, the ship breaking operation involves serious environmental and human health hazards. It is one of the manmade hazards in the coastal region of Bangladesh.

European Chemical Bulletin, Vol 2, No 12 (2013): European Chemical Bulletin