A critical assay of heavy metal pollution index for the groundwaters of Peenya Industrial Area, Bangalore, India

Abstract

Heavy metals, due to their non-biodegradability and tendency to cause detrimental effects in human beings, are considered as the most hazardous and toxic pollutants. The present investigation was taken up to evaluate the heavy metal concentrations in the groundwaters of Peenya Industrial Area in Bangalore. The concentration of six eco-toxic metals such as chromium, copper, cadmium, iron, nickel, and lead were analyzed for 30 groundwater sampling stations in the study area using atomic absorption spectrometer. The concentration of heavy metals followed the order Cr> Fe >Pb>Cu> Ni> Cd. The analysis results have been used to compute two pollution indices in the groundwater, namely heavy metal pollution index and metal index. Heavy metal pollution index is an effective method of rating and ascertaining the water quality with respect to heavy metals. An index value of 100 is considered to be critical, and on the basis of mean concentration, this value in the study area was observed to be 146.32, which is considerably higher than the stipulated critical index value. 63.33% of the groundwater samples are seen to be having an index far above the critical figure of 100. The mean concentration of metal index was 10.36 and it was seen that 46.67% of the groundwater samples fell under the seriously affected category (metal index values above 6). The results not only show that groundwater of the present study is unacceptable for drinking but also clearly indicate the influence of urban, industrial, and agricultural activities on the groundwaters of the said area. This study has massive relevance in designing control measures and action plans for reducing the pollutant influx into the groundwaters. Prompt enforcement of environmental protection laws is needed to prevent continuous pollution of the area. Further, an immediate and sustainable collective action by all stakeholders to control the pollution level is highly recommended, as this issue poses a severe public health threat.

Keywords: Groundwater; Heavy metal pollution index; Metal index; Peenya Industrial Area; Rating.