Water Research Lab

Water Research Lab

Head of the Lab

Md. Golam Mostafa

BSc (Honours), MSc, DEng. (Japan)

Professor

Address	Institute of Environmental Science                       Room No. 210, 4th Science Building University of Rajshahi Rajshahi-6205 Bangladesh Phone: Office: 880-721-711573 Cell: 880-1556-336488 Fax. 880-721-750064, E-mail: mgmostafa@ru.ac.bd website: http://www.ru.ac.bd/ies/water-research-lab/
Research Interest	Geo-chemistry of groundwaterClimate Change and Water ResourcesWastewater quality & Wastewater treatment Water Resources managementAgriculture water stress and Irrigation Management
Visiting Professor/Scientist/ Post-doc Researcher	Institute for Sustainability and Innovation, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (April-October 2011; April – August, 2015) Institute of Applied Sciences, Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences Karlsruhe, Germany (December 2011) Department of Civil, Urban and Geosystem Engineering, Seoul National University, R. Korea (August 2005 to February 2006) Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Kumamoto University, Japan (June, 2008 to August 2008) Department of Earth Science, National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan (December 2008 to November 2009)
Awards and Fellowships	Endeavour Awards Ambassador 2018, Australia Endeavour Executive Fellowship 2015, Australia Endeavour Research Fellowship 2011, Australia DAAD Fellowship (short-term) 2011, Germany Top 100 University Advancement Office Fellowship, 2008-2009, Taiwan JASSO Research Fellowship for Foreign Researcher, 2008, Japan Brain Korea 21(BK21) Fellowship, 2005-2006, R. Korea MONBUSHO Scholarship 1996-2000, JAPAN
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About Lab

Water research encompasses multidisciplinary studies of water resources and management, and develops tools for environmental management and sustainability, aiming to protect aquatic and atmospheric environments. Our research addresses the risks to water quality and quantity across ground, surface water systems, river basins, and coastal zones. It includes an analysis of the climatic drivers of water-related risks, and impacts, as well as appropriate mitigation responses.

Instrumentation facilities

The laboratory offers advanced facilities for the detailed analysis of trace and heavy metal contaminants, as well as major cations and anions in soil and water samples. Its major instruments include a computerized UV-Vis spectrophotometer, a high-speed centrifuge, a high-resolution microscope, a muffle furnace, an incubator, a jar test apparatus, and a UV chamber. Supporting equipment includes pH meters, electrical conductivity (EC) meters, dissolved oxygen (DO) meters, total dissolved solids (TDS) meters, and constant-temperature water baths. In addition, the Central Science Laboratory of the University of Rajshahi, located in the same building, provides access to advanced analytical facilities, including Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS), Gas Chromatography (GC), High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), Inductively Coupled Plasma Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-ES), Field-Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Fluorescence Microscope and other sophisticated analytical instruments.

Lab members

Water Research Group

Our activates

Recent Publications of the Water Research Lab

2026 (January to September)

1. Anupam Roy · M. G. Mostafa (2026). Comparative Impacts of Tobacco and Non‑Tobacco Farming on Heavy Metal Contamination and Human Health Risks. Water Air Soil Pollut (2026) 237:1143. Doi: 10.1007/s11270-026-09807-4; SJR-Q2
2. Khatun, M.L., Mostafa, M.G.^*, Haydar, M.A., Asaduzzaman, K., Rahman, M.A., (2026). Assessment of Environmental Radioactivity and Radiological Hazard Indices in Soil and Water around a Nuclear Medicine Institute in Bangladesh. Applied Radiation and Isotopes, 238:112897. Doi: 1016/j.apradiso.2026.112897; ; SJR-Q2

3. Md. Shajedul Islam and Md Golam Mostafa (2026). 

Detection of Spatiotemporal Land-Cover Dynamics and Soil Erosion

 Potentiality in the Lower Ganges. Watershed. Applied and Environmental Soil Science (Wiley), 2026, 01:9729351;SJR-Q2

4.   Md Anowar Hossen, M.G. Mostafa (2026). Emerging pollutants and heavy metals in sediments: An overview. Continental Shelf Research, Volume 300, ID: 105696; Doi: 10.1016/j.csr.2026.105696; SJR-Q1

5. Md Shakilur Zaman Shakil; M.G. Mostafa (2026). Insights Into Global Plastic Pollution Scenario: Present Status and Future Directions. Sustainable Earth Trends.(In press)Doi: 48308/set.2026.242982.1174
6. Fouzia Ferdous & Md. Golam Mostafa (2026). A Multi-Method Hydroclimatic Modeling Framework for the Sustainable Management of Floodplain Aquifer Dynamics in the Lower Atrai Basin.  Asian Journal of Applied Science and Technology (AJAST), 10 (2); 95-107.
7. Fouzia Ferdous and Md Golam Mostafa (2026). Impacts of climate change on water resources and its sustainable agriculture practices: a systematic review. Ecofeminism and Climate Change 7(1):47-57. DOI: 10.26480/efcc.02.2026.47.57
8. Anupam Roy ¹, Md. Golam Mostafa (2026). Sectoral divergences in industrial effluent quality and risk in Bangladesh: Insights from tobacco and non-tobacco industries. Watershed Ecology and the Environment, 8, 221-238. Doi: 1016/j.wsee.2026.04.001; SJR-Q1
9. Shakilur Zaman Shakil and Md Golam Mostafa (2026). Analytical methods for identifying microplastics in environment: a critical review. Water Practice & Technology. DOI: 2166/wpt.2026.254; SJR-Q2
10. Shakilur Zaman Shakil and M. Golam Mostafa (2026). Characterization, Risk, and Pathway of Microplastics in Coastal Areas of the Bay of Bengal: A Systematic Review and Quantitative Synthesis. Earth Environ Sus., 2(1), 133–153. https://www.sciltp.com/journals/eesus
11. Shakilur Zaman Shakil, Mostafa M. G. (2026). Assessment of Microplastics in Road Dust and Their Human Health Impacts: A Review.  Al-Nahrain Journal of Science, 29(1), 17-30. DOI: 10.22401/ANJS.29.1.03
12. Rahman, M.O., Sultan-Ul-Islam, M., Zaman, S. and Mostafa, M.G., (2026). Assessment of Heavy Metals, Microplastic Pollution Level, and Contamination Risk in Fish Culture Ponds.  Water Chem. Technol.48, 286–303. Doi: 10.3103/S1063455X26030069
13. Mahadia Faiza Shifa and Md Golam Mostafa (2026). Microplastic Contamination in Commercial Poultry Feed and Edible Chicken Tissues: An Emerging Environmental Concern. Journal Chemistry and Environment, 5(1): 12-22. DOI: 10.56946/jzs.v4i1.835

2025

1. Shajedul Islam, Md. Golam Mostafa (2025). Consequences of Rising Atmospheric CO₂ on Ocean Acidification and Dissolved Carbon Cycling: A Systematic Review. Nepal J Environ Sci 13(2), 103-122. DOI: 10.3126/njes.v13i2.69175
2. Asma Siddiqa, Most. Halima Khatun, and M. G. Mostafa (2025). Adsorption of Mn(II) on green-synthesized magnetite-maghemite nanocomposite adsorbents: kinetic, equilibrium, and thermodynamic studies. Applied Water Science, 15:280. DOI: 1007/s13201-025-02622-y. SJR-Q1
3. Rahman, M. O., Mostafa, M.G., Islam, M.S., Zaman, S. (2025). Assessment of Heavy Metals, Microplastics Abundance, Pollution Level, and Contamination Risk in the Ganges Downstream. Sustainable Environmental Insight, 2(2), 124-140. DOI: 10.53623/sein.v2i2.767
4. Rahman, M. O., Mostafa, M.G. (2025). Microplastic and Heavy Metal Accumulation in Cultured Fish: Concerns for Food Safety. J. Chemistry and Environment, 4(2), 24-43.DOI: 10.56946/jce.v4i2.742
5. Anowar Hossen and M. G. Mostafa (2025). Emerging pollutants in aquatic environment: a global challenge. Water Practice & Technology Vol 20 No 8, 1763. DOI: 10.2166/wpt.2025.097. SJR-Q2
6. Asma Siddiqa, Halima Khatun, Md. Golam Mostafa (2025). Green Synthesis of Magnetite: Characterization and Comparison with Conventional Chemical Methods. Modern Chemistry, 13 (3), 53-63. DOI:10.11648/j.mc.20251303.12
7. Asma Siddiqa, Most. Halima Khatun & Md. Golam Mostafa (2025). Green-synthesized magnetite-maghemite nanocomposites for the removal of lead and cadmium from water: competitive adsorption behavior and mechanism studies. Environ Sci Pollution Research (Springer). DOI: 1007/s11356-025-36688-7; SJR-Q1
8. Anowar Hossen and M.G. Mostafa (2025). Emerging Pollutants in Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products Industrial Effluent: Characterization and Environmental Impacts. Water Science & Technology, 91(12), 1287-1306. DOI: 10.2166/wst.2025.073; SJR-Q2.
9. Anupam Roy, M. G. Mostafa and M. K. Saha (2025). Air pollutant dynamics and behaviours in tobacco processing and storage environments: implications for air quality and health hazards. Environ. Sci.: Atmos, 5, 814-830. DOI: 10.1039/d5ea00037h; SJR-Q1
10. Anupam Roy; M. G. Mostafa (2025). Comparative implications of tobacco and non-tobacco crop farming on aquatic ecosystems: a multi-index evaluation of irrigation suitability and pollution risks. Water & Health, 23 (5), 648-670. DOI:10.2166/wh.2025.022; SJR-Q2
11. Shakilur Zaman Shakil and M. G. Mostafa (2025). Source, Identification, Distribution, and Abundance of Microplastics in Rivers and Their Ecological Impacts: A Review. Environment & Ecosystem Science, 9(1): 4856. DOI: 10.26480/ees.01.2025.48.56
12. Monira, S, and Mostafa, G. (2025). Heavy Metals Contamination in Vegetables Grown in Polluted Soils and Their Health Implications for Humans in South Asia: A Comprehensive Review. J Hum Environ Health Promot. 2025; 11(2): 66-76. DOI:10.61186/jhehp.11.2.66
13. Hossen, M.A. and Mostafa, M.G. (2025). Performance assessment of personal care products industrial effluent treatment plant and its impacts on the environment. Watershed Ecology and the Environment 7 (2025) 131–143. org/10.1016/j.wsee.2025.03.007. SJR-Q2
14. Asma Siddiqa, and M.G. Mostafa (2025). Recent Developments of Nanocomposite Adsorbents for Removal of Heavy Metals from Water: A Review. Frontiers in Water and Environment 6, Issue 1 (2025) 1-12. DOI: 10.37934/fwe.6.1.112
15. Asma Siddiqa, Most. Halima Khatun, and M.G. Mostafa (2025). Synthesis of magnetite-maghemite nanocomposite adsorbents coated with leaf extract for removal of lead ions from water. Desalination and Water Treatment (Elsevier), 321, 100979. DOI: 10.1016/j.dwt.2024.100979. SJR-Q3
16. Anupam Roy, M. G. Mostafa (2025). Impact Assessment of Tobacco Cultivation on Soil Ecosystem Using MultiEvaluation Techniques. Asian Journal of Environmental Research, 1(3), 217-236. DOI: 10.69930/ajer.v1i3.224
17. Aktaruzzaman, Sayed M.A. Salam, M.G. Mostafa (2025). Synthesis of Aluminum Oxide Nanoparticle Adsorbents from Waste Aluminum Foil and Assesses Their Efficiency in Removing Lead (II) Ions from Water. Tropical Aquatic and Soil Pollution, 4(2), 127-142. DOI: 10.53623/tasp.v4i2.497
18. Anupam Roy, M.G. Mostafa*, Sabrina Naz (2025). Heavy metal contamination in tobacco fields: Source identification, bioaccumulation and translocation dynamics, and health risk assessment. Journal of Trace Elements and Minerals, 14, 100269 (Elsevier). Doi: 10.1016/j.jtemin.2025.100269; SJR-Q4
19. Roy, A., Naz, S., and Mostafa, M.G. (2025). Socioeconomic and Environmental Impacts of Tobacco Farming in Bangladesh. International Journal of Plant and Environment. 10(4), 1-10. DOI: 10.18811/ijpen.v10i04.01

2024

1. Sayed, M.A., and Mostafa, M.G., (2024). Removal of Color from Textile Dyeing Effluents Using Coagulation-Flocculation Process Coupled with Adsorption on Nanoparticles Process. Jordan Journal of Earth and Environmental Sciences (JJEES), 15(4), 287-297. https://jjees.hu.edu.jo/files/Vol15/No4/JJEES_Vol_15_No_4_P8.pdf; SJR-Q3.
2. Aktaruzzaman, Sayed M.A. Salam, M.G. Mostafa (2024). Synthesis of Aluminum Oxide Nanoparticle Adsorbents from Waste Aluminum Foil and Assesses Their Efficiency in Removing Lead (II) Ions from Water. Tropical Aquatic and Soil Pollution, 4(2), 127-142. DOI: 10.53623/tasp.v4i2.497
3. Anupam Roy, M. G. Mostafa (2024). Impact Assessment of Tobacco Cultivation on Soil Ecosystem Using Multi-Evaluation Techniques. Asian Journal of Environmental Research, 1(3), 217-236. DOI: 69930/ajer.v1i3.224
4. Asma Siddiqa and M.G. Mostafa (2024). Assessment of surface water quality around a shipyard area in Chattogram, Bangladesh. BAUET Journal, 4(2), 61-69. DOI: 59321/BAUETJ.V4I2.9
5. Rahman, T., and Mostafa, M.G. (2024). Risk Assessment of Heavy Metal Accumulation in Leafy Vegetables Around Wastewater-irrigated Areas. Journal of Sustainability and Environmental Management (JOSEM), Vol. 3, No. 2, 85 – 101. DOI: 3126/josem.v3i2.71916
6. Zahidul Islam and M. G. Mostafa (2024). Assessments of hydrogeochemical characteristics, water quality, and health risk of groundwater of Chapi-Nawabganj District of Bangladesh. H2Open Journal, 7(6), 375-396. DOI: 10.2166/h2oj.2024.030; SJR-Q3
7. Islam, M.Z., Hasan, M.R. and Mostafa, M.G. (2024). Characterization of Cottage Textile Dyeing Effluent of Sirajganj District in Bangladesh. Al-Nahrain Journal of Science, 27(3), 9-23; 5-14. DOI: 10.22401/ANJS.27.3.02; SJR-Q4
8. Islam, Md. Zahidul and Mostafa, M. G. (2024). Suitability assessment of groundwater quality for drinking purposes. Journal of Environmental Science and Sustainable Development, 7(1), 513-540. DOI: 10.7454/jessd.v7i1.1262
9. Islam, M. Z., & Mostafa, M. G. (2024). Iron, manganese, and lead contamination in groundwater of Bangladesh: a review. Water Practice & Technology, 19(3): 745–760, DOI:10.2166/wpt.2024.030; SJR-Q3
10. Md Anowar Hossen, G.S. Sattar, M.G. Mostafa (2024). Factors affecting the performance of a pharmaceutical wastewater treatment plant: Characterization of effluent and environmental risk. Heliyon, DOI: 1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29165; SJR-Q1
11. Umama Monira, Golam Sabbir Sattar and Md Golam Mostafa (2024). Assessment of surface water quality using the Water Quality Index (WQI) and multivariate statistical analysis (MSA), around tannery industry effluent discharge areas. H2Open Journal Vol 7 No 2, 130 – 148 (IWA). DOI: 2166/h2oj.2024.099; SJR-Q3
12. Rahman, T., and Mostafa. M.G. (2024). Evaluation of the Irrigation Water Quality of a Canal Contaminated with Textile Dyeing Industry Effluent. Asian Journal of Applied Science and Technology (AJAST), 8(3): 9-25. DOI: 10.38177/ajast.2024.8302
13. Islam, M.S. and Mostafa, M.G. (2024). Impacts of Climate Change on Global Freshwater Quality and Availability: A Comprehensive Review. Journal of Water and Environment Technology, 22(1), 1-26; DOI: 10.2965/jwet.23-036. SJR-Q3
14. Islam, M.S. and Mostafa, M.G. (2024). Suitability Assessment of Shallow Groundwater for Industrial Uses in Terms of Storability and Corrosivity. Journal of Pollution and Effects on Community Health, 1(1), 1-20; DOI: 10.58489/2836-3590/006
15. Islam, M. Z., and Mostafa, M.G., (2024). Seasonal Variation of Fe, Mn, and Pb in Groundwater of Northwestern Bangladesh. Journal of Chemistry and Environment, 3 (1), 77–97. DOI: 56946/jce.v3i1.296
16. Jahura, S., Islam, M. S., & Mostafa, M. G. (2024). Impact of water scarcity on rural livelihood in the drought-prone region: A review of global perspectives. Indonesian Journal of Social Sciences, 16(1), 1– 13. DOI: 10.20473/ijss.v16i1.49143
17. Anupam Roy, Sabrina Naz, and M. G. Mostafa (2024). Tobacco Farming and its Socio-economic Determinants in Kushtia District of Bangladesh. Journal of Sustainability and Environmental Management (JOSEM), Vol. 3, No. 1, 9 – 18.DOI: 3126/josem.v3i1.65224

2023

1. Monira, U., Sattar, G.S., and Mostafa, M.G. (2023). Characterization of Tannery Effluent and Efficiency Assessment of Central Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) at Savar in Bangladesh. Asian Journal of Science and Applied Technology, 12(1), 48-53. DOI: 10.51983/ajsat-2023.12.1.3511 
2. Sultana Jahura, M. Zulfiquar Ali Islam, M. G. Mostafa (2023). Impact of Water Scarcity on Domestic Water Use in Droughtprone Barind Tract, Bangladesh: A Sociological Perspective. Indonesian J. of Social and Environmental Issues (IJSEI) 4(3), 267-279. DOI: 10.47540/ijsei.v4i3.1031
3. Monira, U., Mostafa, M.G. (2023). Leather industrial effluent and environmental concerns: a review. Sustain. Water Resour. Manag. 9, 181. DOI: 1007/s40899-023-00969-1; SJR-Q2
4. Hossen, M.A., and Mostafa, M.G. (2023). Assessment of Heavy Metal Pollution in Surface Water of Bangladesh. Environmental Challenges, 13, 100783; DOI: 10.1016/j.envc.2023.100783; SJR-Q1
5. Islam, M.S., and Mostafa M. G. (2023). Occurrence, Source, and Mobilization of Iron, Manganese, and Arsenic Pollution in Shallow Aquifer” Geofluids, Volume 2023 (Wiley | Hindawi), Article ID 6628095, 19 pages. DOI: 1155/2023/6628095; SJR-Q3
6. M. A., and Mostafa. M.G. (2023). Characterization of Textile Dyeing Effluent and Removal Efficiency Assessment of Al₂(SO4)₃ Coagulant” Asian Journal of Applied Science and Technology (AJAST), 7(3),195-212. DOI:10.38177/ajast.2023.7314
7. Khuku, M.R., Sattar, G.S. and Mostafa, M.G. (2023). Forecasting Seasonal TDS using a Normalized Difference Water Index in the Ganges River in Bangladesh” Nep J Environ Science, 11(1), 27-36. DOI: 10.3126/njes.v11i1.53406
8. Jahura, S. and Mostafa, M.G. (2023). Impact of Climate Change on Economic Development Associated with Water Scarcity: A Review” Journal of Sustainability and Environmental Management (JOSEM), 2(3), 158 – 169. DOI: 10.3126/josem.v2i3.59105
9. Shakil, M.S.Z. and Mostafa, M.G. (2023). “Characterization of Paper Mill Effluent and Its Impacts on the Environment” Journal of Chemistry and Environment, 2 (1), 109-122. DOI: 56946/jce.v2i01.135
10. Islam, M.S., Mostafa M. G., and Muhammad Touseef (2023). Identification of Sources and Mobilization of Trace Elements in Shallow Groundwater of the Upper Ganges River Basin” J. of Chemistry and Environment, 1(2), 1429. DOI: 56946/jce.v1i02.94
11. Monira, M.S. and Mostafa, M.G. (2023). Heavy Metals in Agricultural Soil and Their Impacts on Rice Production and Human Health: A Review” Asian Journal of Applied Science and Technology (AJAST), Volume 7, Issue 2, Pages 204-216. DOI: 38177/ajast.2023.7222 Page 6 of 14
12. Monira, U., Sattar, G.S. and Mostafa, M.G. (2023). Characterization and Removal Efficiency of Central Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP). J. of Sustainability and Environmental Management (JOSEM), 2(1), 42-50. DOI: 10.3126/josem.v2i1.53116