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Source identification study of heavy metal contamination in the industrial hub of Unnao, India

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Abstract

India's Unnao region is home to many leather-treatment facilities and related industries. Industrial and agricultural waste leads to heavy metal contamination that infiltrates groundwater and leads to human health hazards. This work measured the amount of heavy metal in groundwater at specific sites near the industrial facilities in Unnao and identified potential sources of contamination as anthropogenic or lithogenic. Groundwater samples were taken from 10 bore well sites chosen for depth and proximity to industry. Data obtained from sample sites was interpreted using a multivariate statistical analytical approach, i.e., principal component analysis, clustering analysis, and correlation analysis. The results of the multivariate analysis showed that cadmium, copper, manganese, nickel, lead, and zinc were correlated with anthropogenic sources, while iron and chromium were associated with lithogenic sources. These findings provide information on the possible sources of heavy metal contamination and could be a model for assessing and monitoring heavy metal pollution in groundwater in other locales. This study analyzed a selection of heavy metals chosen on the basis of industries located in the study area, which might not provide a complete range of information about the sources and availability of all heavy metals. Therefore, an extended investigation on heavy metal fractions will be developed in further studies.

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Abbreviations

CA:

Cluster analysis

Cd:

Cadmium

Co:

Cobalt

CM:

Correlation matrix

Cr:

Chromium

Cu:

Copper

GPS:

Global positioning satellite

Hg:

Mercury

km2 :

Square kilometer

ml:

Milliliter

Mn:

Manganese

mg/L:

Milligrams per liter

mS/cm:

Milli-Siemens per centimeter

Ni:

Nickel

Pb:

Lead

PCA:

Principal component analysis

ppt:

Parts per thousand

TDS:

Total dissolved solids

Zn:

Zinc

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. 204 A Southern Block, Facility for Ecological and Analytical Testing (FEAT), Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, 208 016, India

    Ashish Kr. Dwivedi & Padma S. Vankar

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  1. Ashish Kr. Dwivedi
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  2. Padma S. Vankar
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Correspondence to Ashish Kr. Dwivedi.

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Dwivedi, A.K., Vankar, P.S. Source identification study of heavy metal contamination in the industrial hub of Unnao, India. Environ Monit Assess 186, 3531–3539 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-014-3636-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-014-3636-6

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