Environmental Impact Assessment of Air and Heavy Metal Concentration in Groundwater of Maheshwaram Watershed, Ranga Reddy District, Andhra Pradesh

Abstract

Anthropogenic activities in Maheshwaram watershed have deteriorated water, air and soil quality during the last ten years due to rapid urbanisation and industrial development. Maheshwaram watershed experienced drastic changes in land use pattern, being very close to the Hyderabad city. Base-line data was collected during post monsoon season (October-November) of 2010 in Maheshwaram watershed to assess the impacts of change in land use, urbanisation and industrialisation on air, water and soil quality for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). Air samples were analysed for Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) and Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter (RSPM). Groundwater samples were analysed for pH; EC; TDS; TH; cations, anions and heavy metals viz., Fe, Mn, Al, Si, V, Cr, As, Sr, Rb, Se, Ba, Li, B, Be, Co, Ni, Zn, Cd, and Pb using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Analysed data were compared with the National and International Standards and subjected to Factor Analysis (FA) for six chemical variables to assess and characterise hydro-chemical processes. A comparison of the results of groundwater samples with WHO and BIS guidelines show that most of the groundwater samples are heavily contaminated with heavy metals like lead, chromium, nickel, barium, aluminium, boron and selenium, which was quantified and presented in the form of spatial variation diagrams prepared using ArcGIS. 9.3.1. Similarly the results of air samples compared with the Central Pollution Control Board, Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India guidelines show that most of the air samples for residential, rural and industrial areas are contaminated by SPM and RSPM.

Bioaccumulation of Potentially Toxic Elements in Cereal and Legume Crops: A Review

“…The PTEs include biologically essential elements such as cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) and non‐essential elements (recognized as hazardous) including cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), chromium (Cr), and arsenic (As; metalloid). Both natural (e.g., weathering of parent material, volcanism) and anthropogenic sources have resulted in the widespread release of PTEs to the soil and water environments …”

Heavy metal concentration in groundwater from Besant Nagar to Sathankuppam, South Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

“…The USEPA (1995) reported that nickel will cause body weight loss, damage of heart and liver, and dermatitis, when consumed long time above the maximum contamination level. Source of nickel in the study area is probably from sewage water and concentration from corrosion of nickel alloy materials (Purushotham et al 2013). Concentration of cobalt values ranges from 0.085 to 0.565 mg/l during POM, and ranges from 0.273 to 0.830 mg/l during POM (Fig.…”

“…Spatial distribution shows that the concentration of cobalt is higher along the west portion of the study area during POM. The higher concentration of Co is due to leaching from solid waste sites in the study area (WHO 2006;Purushotham et al 2013). Cobalt gives benefit or adverse effect to humans depending on its concentration level and types of isotope.…”

Contamination Assessment of Heavy Metals Associated with an Alteration Area: Demirören Gümüshane, NE Turkey

“…These elements in the environment clearly pose a significant risk to the quality of soils, plants, natural waters, and human health (Andriano, 2001;Soylak et al 2001;Üstün, 2009;Osma et al 2012;Alam and Umar, 2013;Vural, 2013b;Purushotham et al 2013). Consequently, the effects on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, especially human health are evident in urban environments, particularly in developing countries where urbanization, industrialization and rapid population growth are taking place on an unprecedented scale (Lu et al 2009).…”