GROUNDWATER CONTAMINATION BY HEAVY METALS FOR BHAGWANPUR HARIDWAR

Abstract

In recent times a major concern is the rising number of human casualties due to the water pollution. Groundwater is found to be a major water source for all our daily needs including domestic, industrial and agricultural usage. Contaminated groundwater can easily find its way into our bodies. Contamination of groundwater by heavy metals is particularly life-threatening with various serious diseases occurring if consumed in excess. The present study was aimed to create facts for a hypothesis that groundwater in the surrounding region of Bhagwanpur Industrial Area could be polluted with heavy metals because of many industrial effluents discharge in the region. The facts are numerical and created by measuring the heavy metals present in the water samples in the region alongside some in-site measurements : Temperature, pH and EC. 16 elements were analyzed :A total of 16 elements were analyzed: Gold(Au), Arsenic(As), Calcium(Ca), Chromium(Cr), Uranium(U), Barium(Ba), Cadmium(Cd), Nickel(Ni), Copper(Cu), Iron(Fe), Manganese(Mn), Lead(Pb), Selenium(Se), Potassium(K), Magnesium(Mn) and Sodium(Na). The values obtained were judged for their maximum permissible limits as prescribed by the Bureau of Indian Standards(BIS). A total of 23 samples were taken during 2 phases of sampling(Pre Monsoon and Post Monsoon). Depths were noted to check variation of contamination with depth. Results have shown that the water in the region is safe for all kinds of use barring a few exceptions for metals like sodium, calcium, magnesium, etc. Bhagwanpur being developed as a heavily industrialised area, strict regulations for the treatment and monitoring of waste disposal should be a benchmark for the industries in the area to stop any future danger