Abstract
In an attempt to delineate heavy metal contamination precincts and to evaluate the extent and degree of toxic levels, besides their possible sources, 38 water samples from Ankaleshwar Industrial Estate, south Gujarat, India were analyzed. By clutching geochemical analyses and GIS-based colour composites areas depicting anomalously high concentration of heavy metals (Mo, Zn, Pb, Ni, Co, Cd, etc.) in the groundwater were revealed. The multicomponent overlays in grey-scale facilitated in identifying situates of heavy metal ‘hot spots’, and lateral protuberances of the contamination plume around defile stretch of the main stream Amla Khadi flowing through the area. The multiple pollution plumes emerging from other parts of the area further coincide with effluent laden streams and small channels indicating industrial establishments as major sources of groundwater contamination. Influent nature of the streams, accelerated infiltration process, high mass influx and shallow groundwater table are the factors conducive for easy access of heavy metals to the phreatic aquifers affecting over 20 km2 area. On the basis of P/U ratios (concentration of metals in polluted water to unpolluted water), geogenic and anthropogenic sources have been identified. Very high levels of technogenic elements present in the ground water raise concerns about possible migration into food crops, as the area is an important horticultural locale and is highly cultivated.
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Acknowledgements
Authors would like to thank the Head, Department of Geology, University of Pune, for providing necessary facilities. Financial assistance to K. D. Shirke (JRF) by DST and Teachers’ Fellowship to Suyash Kumar by UGC is gratefully acknowledged. Help in the fieldwork by Mr. J. B. Pawar and Mr. S. K. Gaikwad is thankfully acknowledged. Thanks are also due to Mrs. Ashwini Supekar for assistance in the analyses of water samples. This study is a part of the DST project under SSS program. The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support by DST, Government of India. Authors gratefully acknowledge the anonymous reviewers for many meaningful suggestions.
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Kumar, S., Shirke, K.D. & Pawar, N.J. GIS-based colour composites and overlays to delineate heavy metal contamination zones in the shallow alluvial aquifers, Ankaleshwar industrial estate, south Gujarat, India. Environ Geol 54, 117–129 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-007-0799-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-007-0799-2