TRACE METALS CONTAMINATION OF GROUNDWATER IN AND AROUND TANNERY INDUSTRIAL AREA OF PALLAVARAM, CHENNAI CITY, INDIA

Abstract

Water is very essential part of all living organisms. Due to urbanization and industrialization, various contaminants are added to water sources through waste discharge resulting in the gradual degradation of water quality. The heavy metals are one type of toxic elements and are mostly released from industrial effluents. Due to various reasons water become polluted with toxic metals. A study was conducted on Tannery industrial area of Pallavaram in January 2014 and the groundwater samples were collected and were analyzed for heavy metal contamination. The heavy metals like Cr, Cu, Pb, F and Zn were analyzed in groundwater samples. The results were compared with standards prescribed by BIS. The result indicated the higher concentration of Cr and Pb metals found in the groundwater samples. From the results it is clearly evident that the groundwater of the study area is contaminated due to the industrial effluents and solid waste dumpsite and overall water quality was found unsatisfactory for drinking purposes. Thus water quality indicates that pollution of the water is increasing alarmingly and that it has created serious threat to human health.