HEAVY METAL POLLUTION OF SOILS AROUND NANJANGUD, KARNATAKA AND ITS IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT

摘要

The work was taken up to evaluate the extent of heavy metal pollution of soils around Nanjangud area, through comparison of heavy metal contents of soils of Nanjangud with those of neighboring natural unpolluted area. For this purpose 3 locations (Stations) of Nanjangud area (Mullur, Devasthana and Kallahalli) and one location (Tumobasoge) from unpolluted area were selected for soil sampling. Among the vertical soil profile, soil samples were collected at 0,15, 25 and 35 cm depth and were analysed for C, Co, Cu, Ni and Zn content. Soil samples of the Nanjangud area revealed the presence higher concentration of heavy metals in the near surface soil samples, implying that part of the heavy metal content of the near surface, soils were contributed by anthropogenic pollutants and the rest are of lithogenic source. Based on the geo-accumulation index (Igeo), the soil samples of Nanjangud area are moderately contaminated with heavy metals, whereas the soils of the neighboring uncultivated pristine area is practically uncontaminated. The situation may deteriorate further in the years to come if no corrective measures are taken.