Environmental impact assessment of air and heavy metal concentration in groundwater of Maheshwaram watershed, ranga reddy district, Andhra Pradesh

Abstract

Anthropogenic activities in Maheshwaram watershed have deteriorated water, air and soil quality during the last ten years due to rapid urbanisation and industrial development. Maheshwaram watershed experienced drastic changes in land use pattern, being very close to the Hyderabad city. Base-line data was collected during post monsoon season (October-November) of 2010 in Maheshwaram watershed to assess the impacts of change in land use, urbanisation and industrialisation on air, water and soil quality for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). Air samples were analysed for Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) and Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter (RSPM). Groundwater samples were analysed for pH; EC; TDS; TH; cations, anions and heavy metals viz., Fe, Mn, Al, Si, V, Cr, As, Sr, Rb, Se, Ba, Li, B, Be, Co, Ni, Zn, Cd, and Pb using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Analysed data were compared with the National and International Standards and subjected to Factor Analysis (FA) for six chemical variables to assess and characterise hydro-chemical processes. A comparison of the results of groundwater samples with WHO and BIS guidelines show that most of the groundwater samples are heavily contaminated with heavy metals like lead, chromium, nickel, barium, aluminium, boron and selenium, which was quantified and presented in the form of spatial variation diagrams prepared using ArcGIS. 9.3.1. Similarly the results of air samples compared with the Central Pollution Control Board, Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India guidelines show that most of the air samples for residential, rural and industrial areas are contaminated by SPM and RSPM.