Survey of Trace Metal Contaminants in Sediments of Kabini River in the Nanjangud Industrial Area, Mysore District

The Kabini river, a confluence of the Panamaram and Mananthavady rivers, originate from Wynad district of Kerala and flows into the Bay of Bengal. It is passing from the Nanjangud industrial area, which is known as a "toxic hot spot" due to the heavy loads of metals and organic compounds discharging from various industries, mostly settle down at bottom of the river. To determine metal content of the Kabini river sediments, five samples were collected along its main course. All the samples were analysed for six heavy metals (Cd⁺², Cr⁺³, Cu⁺², Pb⁺² and Ni⁺², Fe⁺³) and ten physico-chemical characteristics (pH, EC, water holding capacity, Ca⁺², Mg⁺², Na⁺, K⁺, Cl^-, NH₄⁺, %organic carbon). The highest levels of copper were detected in the industrial area point, while for chromium, it was in downstream site. The lowest amount of lead was determined in upstream locations, whereas nickel and iron were found in industrial area site. Total amounts of heavy metal contaminant, however, were below the maximum permissible limits.