Volume : IV, Issue : VI, June - 2015

Accumulation of heavy metals in soil due to wastewater application

Charu Jhamaria, Mridula Bhatnagar

Abstract :

A study was conducted at a wastewater irrigated site, Mansarovar in Jaipur city of Rajasthan, India to estimate the accumulation of heavy metals (Cd,Pb, Zn and Ni) in soil during the pre monsoon and post monsoon period. Simultaneously a control site using bore well water for irrigation was also studied to compare the results. Important soil chemical parameters (pH,EC and Organic carbon %) were also analyzed. The study revealed accumulation of Cd above the safe limits whereas Zn ,Ni and Pb were found under permissible limits. Concentration of metals was found to be higher during pre monsoon period as compared to post monsoon period. An increase in pH, EC and OC % at wastewater irrigated site was also observed during the study. The concentrations of all the metals found in the study are high enough to accumulate in the crops grown on this soil. Summary The present study conducted to evaluate the impact of wastewater application on soils revels that continuous application of wastewater is harmful for soil. It is obvious from the results obtained that application of wastewater leads to build up of heavy metal(Cd) in soil which may prove toxic to the soil health as well as human health as these metals have long half life and have a tendency to accumulate in plant and human tissues. As observed from the results obtained, wastewater also supplies nutrients to the soil in the form of organic carbon and other nutrients thus it can a good source of water and nutrients. It is recommended to eliminate toxic metals from wastewater prior to application in soil to utilize its benefits. Thus it is major concern which should be addressed at the earliest to prevent further degradation of the land resource and adverse effect on human health.

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Article: Download PDF   DOI : 10.36106/ijsr  

Cite This Article:

Charu Jhamaria, Mridula Bhatnagar Accumulation of Heavy Metals in Soil Due to Wastewater Application International Journal of Scientific Research, Vol : 4, Issue : 6 June 2015

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