Heavy metal speciation of soil and Calotropis procera from thermal power plant area

Abstract

Present study was conducted near to a super thermal power plant for the speciation of heavy metals/metalloids contamination of soil and estimation of concentration factor for plant parts (CFPP) of Calotropis procera. The heavy metals selected for speciation in soil and plant parts were Pb, Fe, Cr, Cd, Zn, Ni, V, Co, Mo and Cu and were estimated using AAS-7000(Shimadzu). Reason for selecting the present plant was its abundance in the area vicinity of the power plant. Presence of these heavy metals/metalloids can be attributed to the coal used for combustion from which they are volatised and after condensation are associated to the fly ass. The plant Calotropis procera growing in the area accumulates these metals/metalloids do a significant extent and thus can be used for the plantation in the fly ash dykes so as to minimise the contamination of soil and ambient air with these metals/metalloids.