Trace minerals pollution in south indian branded tea, and from the tea waste disposal sites

Abstract

We aim to quantify heavy metals in tea powders (packed and used), tea waste disposal sites and in the soil away from the site of disposal and to isolate the bacteria from both the soil sample. Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS) analysis revealed chromium in the samples collected from Thanjavur (0.12 mg/kg) and Tiruchirappalli (4.77 mg/kg). The quantity of Copper was between 0.14 mg/kg and 0.97 mg/kg Namakkal and Erode samples respectively. We also found trace levels of other heavy metals. The spatial map distribution patterns of selected Physico-chemical parameters like pH, EC, Alkalinity, Total carbon in the disposal sites were presented. Some of the metal-intolerant strains isolated from the disposal sites became resistant. Further investigation would unravel the possible mechanism behind Chromium reduction by the selected isolates.