A Study on Assessment of Credible Sources of Heavy Metal Pollution Vulnerability in Groundwater of Thoothukudi Districts, Tamilnadu, India

Abstract

The study investigates the Heavy Metal Pollution vulnerability of the groundwater in the coastal aquifers of Thoothukudi District, Tamilnadu, India. A total of 80 groundwater samples were collected throughout the entire district. Integrated approach includes pollution evaluation indices, principal component analysis (PCA), and correlation matrix (CM) to evaluate the intensity and source of pollution in groundwater. The average abundance order of heavy metal contents in groundwater samples are: Cr > Cu > Pb > Fe > Zn > Ni > Mn > Cd. These values were calculated for heavy metal pollution index (HPI), heavy metal evaluation index (HEI), and degree of contamination (Cd). Spatial distribution map of HPI, HEI, Cd indicates that higher indices are observed in the north eastern part of Industrial area (SIPCOT). The Factor score maps suggest that the activities of industries and landfill leachate are pervasive processes. Correlation matrix of heavy metal elements clearly indicates that the groundwater has assimilated with various contaminants from the processes of chemical industries, landfill leachate, and municipal sewage systems in the study area. This study has provided the evidence of effluents discharged from the tannery and auxiliary industries and landfill leachate are the main sources of heavy metal pollution in the groundwater. The current distribution level of heavy metal in the groundwater is of environmental and health concerns and requires attention.