Heavy metal concentration in agricultural soil near industrial clusters around Raipur city: A geochemical appraisal

Abstract

AbstractA detailed assessment of heavy metal concentration has been done through a regional geochemical survey near an industrial area in the outskirts of Raipur City. The multi‐metal analysis was carried out through detailed sampling of stream sediments and slope wash samples. All heavy metals like Cobalt (Co), Chromium (Cr), Copper (Cu), Nickel (Ni), Lead (Pb), and Arsenic (As) are found to present at higher concentrations than their permissible limits. The maximum concentration of heavy metals in descending order of occurrences for Cr, Pb, Cu, Co, Ni, and As were 213, 68, 55, 54, 45, and 35, ppm, respectively. The weathering of the carbonate rocks present in the area is found to be the source of a few metals like Ni, Cr, and Cu. Other metals like Co, Pb, and As are observed at higher concentrations near the industrial areas in the northwestern part. The chemical effluents released from the steel industries are believed to be the prime source of these metals, which also confirmed through field validation. This study emphasizes the significance of the geochemical database generated by National Geochemical Mapping (NGCM) for social and environmental goals.