Pollution Research Paper

GEO CHEMICAL EVALUATION OF HEAVY METAL POLLUTION IN THE SOIL OF THE ARANI TALUK OF TAMIL NADU, SOUTH INDIA

P. MOHANA, P.M. VELMURUGAN AND M. JAYAPRAKASH

Abstract

The salient geo chemical characteristics and the level of heavy metal contamination of the soil were evaluated. Forty four soil samples were collected in the Arani Taluk of Tamil Nadu, South India and important heavy metals were determined to characterize and evaluate the quality of soil. In order to evaluate the geo chemical characteristics, textual study of the soil was carried out and the spatial distribution of heavy metals was determined using spatial analytical tool of GIS. The level of contamination of was evaluated using Geo accumulation index, Enrichment and contamination factor. Spatial distribution diagram shows higher concentration of Fe, Mn, Co and Pb in the northern, northwestern part of the study area. Results illustrate that many of the studied heavy metals in this region were found to be high when compared to the average crustal values. Results of Geo accumulation index, Enrichment factor and Contamination factor indicates that among the heavy metals, Chromium, Lead and Cadmium are found high values at certain zones in the study area. Higher concentration of these metals would have originated mainly from the non-geo genic activities, especially from the industrial waste disposal from the municipal solid waste disposal which consist of large quantum of electronic waste goods including batteries.