International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET)
e-ISSN: 2395 -0056
Volume: 04 Issue: 03 | Mar -2017
p-ISSN: 2395-0072
www.irjet.net
ASSESSMENT OF HEAVY METALS CONTENT IN SURFACE AND SUB SURFACE SOIL SAMPLES IN WASTE DUMPSITES OF GUNTUR, ANDHRA PRADESH. M.Jyothi1, D.Srinivasarao2, G.Swarnalatha3, G.Sudhakar4 1, 2, 3 & 4 Dept
of Environmental Sciences, Acharya Nagarjuna University, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India
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Abstract - In present the environment is highly polluted
by various toxic metals, which create a danger for all living beings, the major (heavy metal) pollutants in the environment, particularly in areas with anthropogenic activities and industrial activities etc., the levels of heavy metals were assessed in five randomly chosen in dump site, samples were drawn at the depth of 0-15 cm and 15-30cm on each of the two sampling points, The result of the analysis carried out showed that the level of heavy metals were generally higher at surface soils than subsurface soils, with mean values of 1291.08 mg/kg and 1236.9 mg/kg for Iron (Fe), 87.96 mg/kg and 83.28 mg/kg for Lead (Pb), 69.54 mg/kg and 201.94 mg/kg for Zinc (Zn), 11.01 mg/kg and 13.12 mg/kg for cadmium (Cd), 10.61 mg/kg and 13.56 mg/kg for Nickle (Ni), 7.76 mg/kg and 7.42 mg/kg for Copper (Cu) and 1.06 mg/kg and 101 mg/kg for Chromium (Cr) in surface and subsurface, respectively, These results indicates a higher concentration of heavy metals in surface and subsurface soils at waste dumpsites. In this aspect the present study pointed out the pollutants concentration in dumping site, as per the CPCB direction should avoid discharge of waste without segregation and treatment, and it has been observed that high amounts of heavy metals such as Fe, Zn, Pb, Cd, Ni, Cu, and Cr according to the Indian Standards. And indicates percolation of heavy metals into the subsurface soils and contaminate the ground water in and around the waste dumping sites, and there is no proper management of solid waste in the study area. Key Words: 1.Anthropogenic, 2.Dumping sites, 3.Environment, 4.Heavy metals, 5.Standards. 1. INTRODUCTION The environmental contaminant is a serious problem in recent years facing human since these metals constitute a hazard to organisms and may cause health problems to the consumers (Vasques, et al., 1993), Municipal solid waste landfills often represent a major environmental problem due to their proximity to inhabited areas. According to Chiemchaisri et al. (2007), the presence of heavy metals in the environment is of great ecological significance due to their toxicity at certain concentrations, translocation through food chains and non biodegradability which is Š 2017, IRJET
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Impact Factor value: 5.181
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responsible for their accumulation in the biosphere (Aekola et al., 2008). Urban MSW is usually generated from human settlements, small industries and commercial activities (Singh et al., 2011), they require a more serious attention, and one of the major sources of heavy metal in the world is leachate from waste dumpsites. Due to the rapid increase in the population and urbanization, a high degree of generation of solid waste is taking place at a rate faster than they can be evacuated collection and disposal of solid waste has therefore become one of the greatest problems facing today, heavy metals are the metals and metalloids having atomic densities greater than 5g/cm3 (Wild, 1993), At some levels of exposure and absorption, they are harmful to most living things. Heavy metals are released into the environment through anthropogenic activities like domestic, industrial, commercial activities, industrial effluents, pesticides and fungicides as well as from manure, (Ukpong, et al., 2013). The increasing load of heavy metals has caused imbalance in aquatic ecosystems and the biota growing under such habitats accumulate huge amount of heavy metals (Zn,Cu,Pb,Cr and Cd etc) which in turn, are being assimilated and transferred to humans within food chain (Nuzhat et al 2013), according to Alloway (1996), toxicity sets in when the heavy metal content in the soil exceeds natural background level. This may cause ecological destruction and deterioration of environmental quality, influence yield and quality of crops as well as atmosphere, and health of animal through food chains. Municipal solid waste compositions have had paper, food waste, metal scraps, glass, ceramics, ashes, etc. Decomposition process releases the heavy metal contained in these wastes to the soil of the waste dumpsite thereby contaminating the soil (Ukpong et al., 2013). The aim of this study is to investigate the total content of heavy metals in soil and sub surface soils in selected refuse dumpsite in the study area.
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