Spatial Dissemination of Some Heavy Metals in Soil Adjacent to <i>Bhaluka</i> Industrial Area, Mymensingh, Bangladesh

Abstract

Heavy metals released from industries causes severe environmental pollution in developing countries. This study has been conducted to evaluate the intensity of heavy metals pollution in soil at 0, 30 and 60 m distances from waste carrying canal of <i>Bhaluka</i> industrial area of Mymensingh, Bangladesh. Lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) concentrations in soils decreased gradually with the increase of distance from waste canal. Maximum concentration was found at 60 to 0 m distance varied from 67.13–90.93, 52.23–76.73, 32.75–133.85, 61.18–422.10, 26900–36900 and 240–540 µg g^-1 for Pb, Cr, Cu, Zn, Fe and Mn, respectively. Geoaccumulation index showing that the soil was moderately polluted for Pb and Zn. Pollution load index values&gt;1.0, explaining pollution load was increased adjacent to industrial area and deteriorate the quality of surface soils day by day. Contamination factor for Pb, Cu and Zn were very high indicating these metals as the major soil pollutants came from anthropogenic sources which was supported by enrichment factor values (&gt;5). The extent of pollution in adjacent to this industrial area implies the condition becoming worse and alarming for biota and inhabitants of that area.