Groundwater Quality Assessment with Respect to Heavy Metal Content by using Heavy Metal Pollution Index (HPI) of Moradabad District, Uttar Pradesh, India

Abstract

Heavy metal pollution index (HPI), is a rating method to assess the water quality and to categorize the groundwater pollution with respect to heavy metals content. The aims of the present study are to look over the current status of heavy metals pollution in and around Moradabad city. Heavy metal pollution in water has gained universal consciousness due to its tenacity, accumulation in the food chain and negative effects on ecological as well as human health. Its variation in concentration can cause deterioration of water. The study focuses on examining the content of heavy metal (Zn, Fe, Cd, Mn, Pb, Ni, Cu, and Cr) in the 30 water samples from the surrounding areas of Moradabad city. The concentrations of Cd, Mn, Fe, Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, and Cr in water samples were recorded in the pre- and post-monsoon season of 2017. The examined samples reveal that the contamination level of heavy metal is in the following sequence Ni>Fe>Pb>Cd>Cr>Cu>Zn>Mn in premonsoon 2017, whereas in postmonsoon season, heavy metals values are shown as Fe>Pb>Ni>Mn>Cr> Cu>Zn>Cd. The HPI average value in pre-monsoon 2017 is 13.07, which recommended that the groundwater quality is good. While in post-monsoon season HPI average values has been 159.26 suggesting that the water quality is poor to inferior. The correlation matrix has been evaluated and shows a positive correlation with the elements. The immense production of industrial solid waste in Moradabad city and its improper disposal in the form of heap piled outside the city area generates leachate. Heavy metal leaching from these disposal points may contaminate the groundwater as well as surface water resources. The study shows that heavy metal concentration has a noticeable rise in water due to different anthropogenic and various natural sources of contamination.