Effect of industries on heavy metal content in soils of adjoining area

Abstract

Due to rapid industrialization, urbanization and intensive agriculture in India increasing contamination of heavy metals in soil has become a major concern. A geochemical investigation was carried out in and around the industrial development area of district Rohtak to determine the effect of contamination in the study area. Soil samples collected near the industrial area were analyzed for Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Cd, Cr, Co and Pb contents. Samples were collected from the industrial area of Rohtak from the top to 15 cm layer of the soil. The samples were collected from industrial areas, and far away from industrial area. Levels of the metals in soils around the industrial area were found to be higher than their normal distribution in soil that is away from industries such as Pb – 2.13 ppm, Cr – 0.06 ppm, Cu – 2.12 ppm, Zn – 2.07 ppm, Co – 0.03 ppm and Cd– 0.15 ppm. High concentration of these toxic elements in soil is responsible for the development of toxicity in agriculture products, which in turn affects human life.