Assessment of heavy metals in ground water of Aurangabad Industrial areas

Changes in the quality of ground water resources are related to presence and concentration of contaminants, especially heavy metals such as Arsenic, Cadmium, Chromium, Copper, Zinc Lead, Mercury and Nickel is known to have aneugenic effects. This study was carried out to assess the presence and concentration of heavy metal As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Zn, Pb, Hg, and Ni in ground water of Aurangabad industrial areas .


INTRODUCTION
As in any country, the industrial growth in India has been currently boosted of to substantially enhance the economic growth.Without implementation of regulatory control measures for effluent quality.Industries in Chikalthana and waluj of Aurangabad industrial area gives off effluents rich in organic, inorganic 1 contents as well as heavy metal have been found to result in toxic effect on near by environment .Heavy metal 2 enter in human body by different path way and cause harmful effect 3 .
Present study was under taken keeping in view significance of ground water metal characterization and source identification constitutes important aspect of study dealing with environmental degradation.

MATERIAL AND METHODS
Ground water samples were collected from different bore wells present in industrial areas of Aurangabad.Water of which is being used by public for drinking and domestic purposes.In all eight sample were collected in one liter polythene screw bottle from each place in July 2007 and December 2007 .Bottle were thoroughly cleaned with 50 % Nitric acid followed by thrice washing with double distilled water.The samples were filter immediately through 45µm.millipore membrane filture and were acidified with 5 ml HNO per liter.Prior to analysis all sample were subjected to controlled Nitric acid digestion 4 on hot plate until clear light colored solution is obtained.Filtrate was cooled, diluted and mixed thoroughly.All the reagents used were of A.R grade.

Sampling sites
Heavy metal analysis was done with Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer, GBC AVANTA PM -10 Australia by direct aspiration method.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Result for analysis of heavy metal content of ground water sample collected from different place are summarized as in Table1.

Arsenic
Arsenic in drinking water is highly undesirable because of its toxicity.In present work Arsenic is found to be below 0.02 mg/L which is below permissible limit of WHO 5 and BIS 6 .fordrinking water.

Cadmium
Cadmium is conceder to be one among the environmentally hazardous metal because it has higher toxicity greater capability of accumulation and retention in the body of organism including human.In present study Cadmium concentration found to be below 0.02 mg/L the value is higher than WHO recommended for drinking water.This may be due to west of electroplating industries percolated into ground water.

Chromium
Chromium is naturally occurring element and essential for good health i.e. synthesis of fat

Copper
Copper is essential metal for all living organisms because of it's key role in many enzymatic reaction.However at high concentration it become essentially pollutant 9 , in present work concentration of copper is below 0.1 mg/L at all sites which is above permissible limit of BIS.This high dose of copper through water in human being may cause epigastria burning, vomiting and diarrhea.

Zinc
Zinc is an essential beneficial metal for human being it enters in water supply and water body from deterioration of galvanized iron and dezincification of brass .themaximum value of Zinc ion ground water is 0.1 mg/L.and minimum of 0.021 mg/L.which are within limit of BIS.

Lead
Lead is highly toxic, high level explore of Lead content in potable water may cause cancer and blood pressure.Increase in lead content is indicative of an input from rain water runoff, effluents and house hold sewage sanitation in study area .In the sample concentration of Lead found to be below 0.3 mg/L which is above permissible limit of BIS and WHO.

Mercury
Mercury and Mercuric compound are considered to be highly toxic to human being.Prolonged Mercury ingestion can cause kidney and brain damage.Hg concentration of all site found to higher than drinking water limit of WHO and BIS.

Nickel
Number of studies have pointed out that Nickel has nutrient importance, where it is engaged in the composition of nucleic acid .however nickel related health effect such as cardiovascular has been repor ted.In present investigation concentration of Nickel below permissible limit of WHO i.e. 0.02 mg/L.

CONCLUSION
Most of heavy metal contaminants are abundantly present in water sample .concentration of these metal are abnormally high and restrict the use of water for many domestic purpose.Site factor are also important in deciding the probable in metal content in bore well water it was found that amount of Cr and Pb is alarmingly high there fore it is suggested that water from these bore well should be totally abandoned and alternative arrangement for water supply be made available to the local people.