Environmental Pollution and Protection

Download PDF (372 KB) PP. 15 - 22 Pub. Date: March 28, 2017

DOI: 10.22606/epp.2017.21003

• U.S. Banerjee^*
  Department of Environmental Science, The University of Burdwan, Golapbag 713104, West Bengal, India
• S. Gupta
  Department of Environmental Science, The University of Burdwan, Golapbag 713104, West Bengal, India

The present study was conducted to determine the metal contamination in cultivated vegetables and agricultural soils irrigated with untreated industrial wastewater. Untreated industrial wastewaters pose a serious threat to ecosystem health and therefore, to check metal contamination in soil, eco-toxicological assessment of industrial effluents is necessary. The study deals with the characterization of effluent released from various industries and distribution of heavy metals in soil near to effluent discharge channel. The samples were analyzed for physico-chemical parameters using standard laboratory procedures and giving prime thrust to determine the heavy metal concentrations (Pb, Cd, Mn, Cu and Cr) of wastewater. The five heavy metals in the wastewater irrigated soil viz. Pb, Cd, Mn, Cu and Cr were detected in most of the samples (mg/kg) ranged from 29.347–49.358, 0.169–2.265, 75.786–95.228, 2.852–15.532, 26.969– 49.245 respectively. Enrichment of metals in wastewater irrigated soil sample ranged between 1.467–2.468 (Pb), 0.563–7.550 (Cd), 0.089–0.112 (Mn), 0.063–0.345 (Cu), and 0.300–0.547 (Cr). The soil of the agricultural land showed significant enrichment with Pb and Cd indicating inputs from industrial sources. From the above study, it has been found that the wastewaters at various locations are rich in essential micronutrients (Mn and Cu) and have a good pH for agricultural use. The high values for Cd BCF may be explained by the fact that Cd is easily absorbed by plants. The depth wise study showed that metal concentrations were in higher magnitude at top-soil zone in comparison to sub-soil zone both in affected and control soils. The investigation showed pronounced metal contamination of agricultural soils irrigated with untreated industrial wastewater.

Metal contamination, industrial wastewater, enrichment factor, geoaccumulation index, bioconcentration factor

[1] B. J. Alloway, Heavy metals in soils (2nd Ed.). London: Blackie and Son, Chap. 3, pp. 368, 1995.

[2] A. G. Kachenko and B. Singh, “Heavy metals contamination in vegetables grown in urban and metal smelter contaminated sites in Australia,” Water Air & Soil Pollution, vol. 169, pp. 101–123, 2006.

[3] Z. L. He, M. K. Zhang, D. V. Calvert, P. J. Stoffella, X. E. Yang and S. Yu, “Transport of heavy metals in surface runoff from vegetable and citrus fields,” Soil Science Society of America Journal, vol. 68, pp. 1662–1669, 2004.

[4] F. R. M. Herber, M. A. Verschoor and A. A. E. Wibowo, “A review of kinetics and kidney effects of cadmium. Recent epidemiological studies,” Environmental Toxins, Berlin: Springer, vol. 2, 1988, pp. 115–133.

[5] K.Tsuchiya, Cadmium studies in Japan – A review. Tokyo: Kodansha, 1978.

[6] A. Bernard, “Cadmium & its adverse effects on human health,” Indian J Med Res, vol. 128, October, pp 557-564, 2008.

[7] L. Frieberg, C. G. Elinder, T. Kjellstroem, and C. F. Nordberg, Cadmium and Health: A toxicological and epidemiological appraisal. Volume II, effects and response. Boca Raton, Florida: CRC, 1986.

[8] P. K. Govil, G. L. N. Reddy and A. K. Krishna, “Soil Contamination due to heavy metals in Patancheru industrial development area,” Environmental Geology, vol. 41, pp. 461–469, 2001.

[9] A. K. Krishna and P. K. Govil, “Heavy metal distribution and contamination in soils of Thane-Belapur industrial development area, Mumbai, Western India,” Environmental Geology, vol. 47, no.8, pp. 1054–1061, 2005.

[10] S.E. Allen, H.M. Grimshaw and A.P. Rowland, Chemical analysis, in Methods in Plant Ecology, P.D. Moore and S.B. Chapman, eds., Blackwell Scientific, Oxford, pp. 285–344, 1986.

[11] W. W. Dickinson, G. B. Dunbar, and H. McLeod, “Heavy metal history from cores in Wellington Harbour, New Zealand,” Environmental Geology, vol. 27, pp. 59–69, 1996.

[12] T. Liaghati, M. Preda and M. Cox, “Heavy metal distribution and controlling factors within coastal plain sediments, Bells Creek Catchment, southeast Queensland, Australia,” Environment International, vol. 29, pp.935–948, 2003.

[13] R. A. Sutherland, “Bed sediment-associated trace metals in an urban stream, Oahu, Hawaii,” Environmental Geology, vol. 39, pp.611–627, 2000.

[14] G. Muller, “Index of geoaccumulation in sediments of the Rhine River,” Geojournal, vol. 2, pp.109–118, 1969.

[15] DWAF, South African water quality guidelines (Vol. 7), aquatic ecosystems (1st ed.). Pretoria: Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, 1996.

[16] APHA, Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater. 17th Edn. Washington DC, USA, 1985.

[17] M. Shariatpatanahi, and A. C. Anderson, “Survey of chemical constituents of Tehran’s groundwater,” Journal of Environmental Geochemistry and Health, vol. 9, pp. 55-601, 1987.

[18] R. K. Sharma, M. Agrawal, and F. Marshal, “Heavy metal contamination of soil and vegetables in suburban areas of Varanasi, India,” Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, vol. 66, no. 2, pp. 258–266, 2007.