Comprehensive study of heavy metal pollution in surface water of Guntur region of Andra Pradesh

Abstract

The Water pollution is known of as the apperence of undesirable elements that are introduced into a natural water supply by human activity, changing its physical, chemical, or biological properties. The present study was conducted in the Guntur region of Andra Pradesh. The surface water samples were assembled from ten sample stations and analyzed for their heavy metal content by atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS). The acquired values were also compared to permissible limits. Magnesium and lead were detected in the surface water collected from all 10 sample stations. However, June 2019 surface water collection showed significantly (p<0.001) amount of magnesium as compared to other seasons collections. Sample stations 2, 6, 7 and 8 showed maximum concentration (>0.2ppm) of lead during December 17, June 18, June 19 and June 18, respectively. Selenium was detected in the surface water collected during four intervals from all sample stations except sample station 7. Arsenic was detected in the surface water collected from sample stations 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8 and 9. However, maximum concentration of both the elements was detected in the surface water collected from sample station 3 as compared to remaining sample stations. The Bandarupalle sample station showed presence of copper, nickel, chromium, iron, manganese, cadmium, mercury and molybdenum. The Tadikonda sample station showed copper, nickel, chromium, zinc, iron, and mercury. Mangalagiri and Mutluru sample station showed copper, cobalt, nickel, chromium, zinc, iron, manganese, cadmium, mercury and molybdenum in surface water which were found to be maximum polluted stations. The Chebrolu showed presence of all above elements except manganese. The Rompicherla and Guntur sample station surface water showed presence of all the above mentioned elements except copper and cadmium. Pedda Vadlapudi surface water detected nickel, chromium, zinc, iron, manganese, cadmium, and mercury. The Macherla showed presence of nickel, chromium, iron, cadmium, mercury and molybdenum. Acharya Nagarjuna University showed cobalt, nickel, chromium, iron, manganese, cadmium, and molybdenum in the surface water. Lead, arsenic, selenium, chromium and mercury were found to be above permissible limits in the surface water.