Shubham K. Gavhane and Sanjay D. Pagar
Abstract
Heavy metal contamination in soil has become a universal threat in recent years. Various anthropogenic activities like manufacturing industries, thermal power plants, mining and agricultural activities are responsible for the increase in heavy metal contamination in soil. The effect of coal based thermal power station at Eklahare (Nashik) on surrounding soil properties is studied in this research work. The heavy metal contamination and pollution related indices such as geo-accumulation index (Igeo), ecological risk index (ERI), contamination factor (CF), contamination degree (CD) and pollution load index (PLI) were calculated. The amount of heavy metals present in the soil impacts the soil health and the sustainable agriculture. Precisely, 05 soil samples from surrounding area of thermal power plants were tested for heavy metal contamination such as Arsenic (As), Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr), Copper (Cu), Lead (Pb), Manganese (Mn), Mercury (Hg), Nickel (Ni) and Zinc (Zn) in soil. The concentration of heavy metals in the soil was determined by using Atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). Soil pH, EC (dSm-1), OC (%), Nitrogen (N), Phosphorous (P), Potassium (K) and Calcium Carbonate (%) are also estimated for the soil samples. The results show that, Igeo value of heavy metal Mercury (Hg) shows extremely contaminated status in all soil samples and Cadmium (Cd) shows heavy contamination in S03, S04 and Ash Soil Samples. The Ecological risk index (ERI) values display very high potential risk of Mercury, Cadmium, Chromium and Arsenic in all soil samples. Contamination Factor (CF) values show very high contamination of Cd, Hg in S01; As, Cd, Mn, Hg in S02; As, Cd, Cu, Mn, Hg in S03; As, Cd, Mn, Hg in S04 and As, Cd, Cu, Mn, Hg in Ash samples. The CD values indicated very high contamination of heavy metals in the soil. The PLI value of all soil samples analyzed from the study area shows significant heavy metal pollution load. This research suggests constant monitoring of surrounding agricultural areas and assessment of heavy metal contamination in Godavari River for sustainable agriculture.