K. Parameswari ¹, T. K. Padmini ¹, B. V. Mudgal ²

Affiliations
1 Sathyabama University, Rajiv Gandhi Road, Jeppiaar Nagar, Chennai - 600 119, Tamil Nadu, IN
2 Anna University, Chennai - 600 025, Tamil Nadu, IN

Abstract

Physicochemical and heavy metals characteristics of the municipal solid waste dumpsite, Perungudi, India were investigated. The concentration of heavy metals were analyzed at different depths and distances. The concentration is found to be higher in the top soil upto a depth of 5.5 m as the top soil is a sandy clay layer. Fe, Zn and Cu continue the trend upto a depth of 5.5 m and a change was observed at 6.5 m and the concentrations follow similar values upto 13 m. The concentration decreases with increasing soil depth, which is an indication of their low mobility. It is evident that the variation in the concentration of the heavy metals at various depths in the soils shows that the influence of the dumping activities plays a major role when compared to the geology of the area.

Keywords

Dumpsite, Heavy Metals, Soil Classification, Soil Contamination, Soil Texture

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T. K. Padmini ¹, K. Parameswari ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Civil Engineering, Sathyabama University, Chennai - 600119, Tamil Nadu, IN

Abstract

Ground water contamination is nearly always the result of human activity. In areas where population density is high and human use of land is intensive, ground water is vulnerable. Virtually any activity where by chemicals or wastes may be released to the environment, either intentionally or accidentally, has the potential to pollute the ground water. When ground water contaminated, it is difficult and expensive to clean up. Also drinking contaminated groundwater can have serious health effects. Diseases such as hepatitis and dysentery may be caused by contamination from septic tank waste. Poisoning may be caused by toxins that have leached into water supplies. Other long term effects such as certain types of cancer may also result from exposure to polluted water. The present study aims to understand the spatial variation of groundwater quality from Porur to Poonamallee. The samples were collected from Porur, Iyyappanthangal and Poonamallee and tested for the physio-chemical parameters. The test results were compared with the WHO and Indian Standard water quality standards. The spatial variation map for various physio-chemical parameters was digitized using Arc GIS. From the study it is observed that the groundwater quality is good in Porur, moderate in Iyyapanthangal and not desirable in few parts of Poonamallee. Also, it is observed in particular that the iron content is more than the permissible limit.

Keywords

Contamination and Groundwater Quality, Groundwater

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