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In this study, we analyse the impact of the indiscriminate spilling of spent oil by garages on the surrounding soils. Physico-chemical, biological and heavy metal (HM) profiles of the spent oil-contaminated soils were compared with control samples in Guwahati city, Assam, India. The results revealed that the spent oil-contaminated soils show an increase in the abundance of HMs (varying from 58 to 18,400 mg/kg), total oil and grease (77,000-161,000 mg/kg) and a decrease in bacterial load (68.2-76.2%) and enzymatic activities (18.02-98.4%) when compared with control samples. Site-specific remediation strategies are needed to mitigate this problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A systematic study of background radiation in southeast Haryana, India, i.e. the Jhajjar, Sonipat and Rohtak districts, was initiated to establish reliable baseline data on the background radiation level of the region. Worldwide many areas have been found with high background gamma radiation, leading to several types of disorders in human beings. So the present study was carried out as a precautionary step. There are two natural sources of ionizing radiation -- cosmic and terrestrial. Isotopes of heavy elements and their decay products present in the Earth's crust are the major sources of terrestrial radiation. A radiation survey meter was used for the analysis of gamma radiation. In total, 50 locations were chosen for the survey. Gamma radiation showed variation from 82 to 184 nSv/h, with the mean value of 131.64 ± 5.56 nSv/h. An independent t-test at a significance level of 5% was applied for comparison. Annual effective dose and excess lifetime cancer risk were computed to determine the number of cancer cases due to outdoor radiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to assess the suitability of lake sediments of Bengaluru, Karnataka, India, as a nutrient source for agricultural crop production. The sediments were analysed for macro- and micronutrients and toxic heavy metals using standard procedures. The results showed high stocks of N, P and K and low heavy metal concentration in the upper 15 cm depth of the lake sediments, implying their suitability as a nutrient alternative. This will reduce the use of synthetic fertilizers, improve soil health and also increase water storage capacity in the lakes, and thus promote sustainable agricultural production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reveals the magnitude of heavy metal contamination of soil and groundwater in and around an unauthorized e-waste recycling site in Delhi. Though unsafe and unorganized and with the e-waste handling now legally banned in Delhi, the informal sector is still actively involved in dismantling, extracting and disposing of e-waste in certain places on a considerably large scale. The leachate produced by these recycling units contains a large amount of heavy metals which are likely to pollute the groundwater and soil adjoining the recycling sites. This study evaluates the e-waste contamination at such sites by monitoring the potential contaminants at a number of specific monitoring points in Krishna Vihar near Mandoli. The soil and underground water samples are tested for the presence of heavy metals around e-waste recycling and dumping sites using atomic absorption spectrometry. The standard values according to Central Ground Water Board are taken as reference values for water, and standards for agricultural soil in Britain as reference values for soil. The results show that the groundwater and soil in and around these sites have been contaminated by lead, copper, chromium and cadmium to a large extent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

River Gomti receives treated/untreated industrial as well as municipal wastes from various drains of Lucknow city, India. In order to study heavy metal pollution (Cd, As, Pb and Cu) in the river, water and sediment samples were collected from 10 sampling stations along a 9 km stretch in the city of Lucknow. Results revealed that the concentrations of heavy metals in water samples were in the range: As: 0.035-0.061, Cd: 0.016-0.068, Cu: 0.029-0.062 and Pb: 0.031-0.065 mg l-1 whereas in sediments metal concentrations were found to be As: 3.72-14.98, Cd: 1.91-8.39, Cu: 8.97-95.35 and 35.82-90.92 μg g-1. Bioaccumulation of these metals was assessed in four aquatic macrophytes, viz. Pistia stratiotes, Eichhornia crassipes, Polygonum coccineum and Marsilea quadrifolia. Pistia stratiotes and Polygonum coccineum accumulated maximum amount of Pb followed by Cu, Cd and As, whereas in the case of Eichhornia crassipes and Marsilea quadrifolia the relative metal accumulation pattern was found as Cu > Cd > Pb > As and Cu > Pb > Cd > As respectively. The present study suggests that though the concentrations of toxic metals were lower in water, chronic exposure could result in bioaccumulation to a degree many-fold higher than in growing medium. It was also concluded that the water and sediment of the river should be regularly monitored for heavy metal contamination and care should be taken while using river water in agriculture/ aquaculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The levels of heavy metals are measured at different dumpsites with different distances and directions under the jurisdiction of Greater Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad for ascertaining the soil and groundwater quality and forecasting as a part of integrated municipal solid waste (MSW) management study. The datasets indicate a steady decrease in the concentrations of ions and heavy metals in groundwater with distance from the MSW dumpsites. Similar trends are observed for the levels of heavy metals in soil at dump sites around the MSW dumpsite. In this study, we have used both linear and quadratic regression to predict water and soil constituents. As the datasets on the components of solid waste and groundwater are limited, the desired level of forecasting accuracy could not be achieved. However, for some components the results are promising. This study suggests that improvement can be achieved by removing the outliers from the dataset. If the errors are large for a component, it would mean that we need a better way of separation of this component from the waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report here the preliminary results of the study using monitored natural attenuation (MNA), referred to as intrinsic remediation, as an in situ treatment method in an abandoned gold mining site in Kolar Gold Fields, Karnataka. The area is called the Kolar schist belt of south India, well-known for its gold deposits which have been mined systematically for over several decades. Distribution of elements, in the form of histograms and correlation diagrams, were prepared to understand the sources of contamination in soils. Natural attenuation observed for some elements were: As (36.6%), Cr (56.6%), Co (50%), Cu (50%), Ni (53.3%), Pb (86.6%), Sr (46.6%) and Zn (50%). The outcome of this study would facilitate identification of safe waste disposal sites besides pointing out the extent of aquifer pollution and prognosis of the migration of pollutants in the plume, and finally support remedial measure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on established linkages between ferrimagnetism and heavy metal concentration of anthropogenic particulates, we attempt here to delineate pollutant residing domains and study the role of surface runoff and wind circulations over its redistribution in the Pune Metropolitan Region (PMR) in Maharashtra. A total of 118 samples collected in a ~3 × 3 km grid during pre- and post-monsoon seasons for surface soils, bedrock, dust and rainwaters were analysed for magnetic susceptibility (χlf) and the isothermal remanent magnetization (IRM). The χlf in the soil profiles decrease from bedrock to intermediate soil horizons but notably increase towards top. Spatial variations based on the fundamental rock magnetic parameters (χlf and their frequency dependency (χfd), saturation IRM, demagnetization ratio) and knowledge of the polluting sources show significant anthropogenic loading for the topsoils. The study further reports remarkable postmonsoon changes in all the parameters controlled by surface run-off due to slope variation which appears to be the most effective mechanism of redistribution and dumping the topsoils loaded with anthropogenic particulate matters. Distribution of χfd% further infers wind as another important agent for dispersal of finer ferrimagnetic particulate matters predominantly controlled by the topography amongst other meteorological factors. Additional data for succeeding years would help in modelling the redistribution sensitivity and heavy metal residence effect for the topsoils and sediments in the PMR region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study regarding the accumulation of heavy metals in fishes and crabs in the Gulf of Cambay, India. It states that high bioaccumulation of metals could be due to anthropogenic activities according to studies on the horizontal distribution patterns of metal in the sediments of the region. It notes that the concentration of toxic metals detected in fish was compared with reported values for other regions in order to measure the degree of contamination in the study area.

The article discusses the conflict between the modern development and the environment in India. It says that the problem on modern developments is compounded by a carefree use of resources without concern for environmental implications. It indicates that the possible leaching of toxic metals into the soil and water bodies is not much concern to most of the people. It mentions the wasteful practice of the people such as the use of ballpoint pens instead of fountain pens for writing.