Environ Monit Assess (2011) 173:643–652

DOI 10.1007/s10661-010-1412-9

Heavy metal concentrations in groundwaters and soils

of Thane Region of Maharashtra, India
Ganesh Ramdas Bhagure · S. R. Mirgane

Received: 25 July 2009 / Accepted: 24 February 2010 / Published online: 19 March 2010
© Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2010

Abstract Thane district is one of the most in- analyzed for various water quality parameters.
dustrialized districts in Maharashtra. The heavy The analytical data shows very high concentration
industrialization and the increasing urbanization of total dissolved solids, total hardness, total al-
are responsible for the rapidly increasing stress kalinity, chemical oxygen demand, chloride etc.
on the water and soil environment of the area. Groundwater and soil samples were analyzed for
Therefore, an attempt has been made through ten heavy metals by inductively coupled plasma
comprehensive study on the groundwater conta- (ICPE-9000) atomic emission spectroscopy. The
mination and soil contamination due to heavy analytical data reveal that, very high concen-
metals in Thane region of Maharashtra. The area tration level of arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and
undertaken for the study was Thane and its sub- nickel throughout the industrial area. The random
urbans Kalwa, Divajunction, Dombivali, Kalyan, dumping of hazardous waste in the industrial area
and Ulhasnagar. Industrialization and urbaniza- could be the main cause of the groundwater and
tion lead to generation of large volumes of waste- soil contamination spreading by rainwater and
water from domestic, commercial, industrial, and wind. In the residential areas the local dumping
other sources, which discharged in to natural wa- is expected to be the main source for heavy met-
ter bodies like river and creek in this region. als. A comparison of the results of groundwa-
Groundwater samples and soil samples were col- ter with WHO guidelines show that most of the
lected from residential, commercial, agriculture, groundwater sampling station are heavily conta-
and industrial areas. Groundwater samples were minated with organic matter and heavy metals.
Groundwater samples are heavily contaminated
by arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and nickel. Simi-
larly, the results of heavy metals in soil compared
with Swedish soil guideline values for polluted
soil show that soil samples collected from residen-
tial, commercial and industrial areas are heavily
G. R. Bhagure (B)
Department of Chemistry, Dnyanasadhana College, contaminated by arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and
Thane 400604, Maharashtra, India nickel.
e-mail: [email protected]
Keywords Groundwater quality ·
S. R. Mirgane
P.G. Department of Chemistry, J.E.S. College, ICP-AES-9000 · Heavy metals · Soil
Jalna 431203, Maharashtra, India contamination
644 Environ Monit Assess (2011) 173:643–652

Introduction The data generated by the studies on the sur-

face water groundwaters and creek waters reveal
In recent years, a great deal of concern has been that the wastewater generated from the cities lo-
expressed over problems of groundwater contam- cated in the region along with industrial effluent is
ination and soil contamination with heavy metals finally disposed in the creeks (MPCB 2005). The
due to rapid industrialization and urbanization. untreated domestic wastewaters from cities like
These elements can bioaccumulate in plants and Kalyan, Dombivali, Ulhasnagar, Ambernath, etc.
animals eventually making their way to humans reach Ulhas creek besides treated effluents from
through food chain (Singh et al. 2006). industrial areas in Dombivali, Saravali, Thane,
Soil samples represent an excellent media to Ulhasnagar, Ambernath, etc., deteriorating the
monitor heavy metal pollution because anthro- quality of creek water. Hazardous solid waste
pogenic heavy metals are usually deposited in dumps from industry and municipal solid waste
top soils (Govil et al. 2001). Heavy metal con- dumps generate highly polluting leachets and
taminated soil affects the ecosystem when heavy runoffs resulting in ground and surface water
metals migrate into groundwater or are taken up pollution.
by flora and fauna. This can cause great risk to The objectives of the present investigation
ecosystems due to bioaccumulation. were to assess the various water quality para-
Heavy metals from corrosion products in soils meters of groundwater and its comparison with
may reach the groundwater via colloid assisted standard values recommended by WHO (2001),
and soil water transport (Amrhein et al. 1992; determine the presence or absence of heavy
Grolimund et al. 1996). Contamination of ground- metals in groundwater and soils in Thane re-
water by heavy metals may pose a more serious gion of Maharashtra, and estimate contamination
and continuing health risk to humans and envi- of soil due to heavy metals by comparing with
ronment (Tripathi and Pandey 2001). The reckless Swedish soil quality guidelines for polluted soils
disposal of chemicals and heavy metal waste from (Naturvardsverket 2003).
agriculture, industries, and mining activity known
to have an adverse effect on aquatic life and water
quality. The most dangerous are the heavy metals Materials and methods
that bind to cell membrane affecting intracellu-
lar transport process in living forms (Schwartz Study area
1997). Studies of heavy metals in ecosystem have
indicated that many areas near urban complexes, Thane, the northern most district of Kokan, lies
metalliferous mines, or major road system contain adjoined to Arabian Sea in northwest of Maha-
enormous high concentration of these elements. rashtra state. It extends between 20◦ 20 N latitude
In particular, soil in such regions have polluted 73◦ 45 E longitudes. Thane city and its subur-
from wide range of sources with Pb, Cd, and other bans Kalwa, Mumbra, Diva Junction, Dombivali,
heavy metals (Krishna and Govil 2005; Ebong Kalyan, Ulhasnagar, and Ambernath are located
et al. 2008). in Thane districts of Maharashtra. The area that
Heavy metals are also known to be potential includes a portion of the Thane district is called
inhibitors of ATPases (Haya and Waidood 1985). the Thane region in the present study. Thane
These compounds enter an organism and reach district is one of the most industrialized districts
the target organ by passing through living mem- in the state. The district is blessed with abundant
branes and in the process, adversely affect their natural resources in the form of perennial rivers
permeability and degrade the normal enzyme extensive seashore and high mountainous range.
transport (Mwachiro and Durve 1997). Heavy Thane region is also marked with long coastline
metals are reported to affect liver and kidney, and rapidly growing residential areas of Thane,
which are involved in the cleansing processes of Dombivali, Ambernath, Mira, Bhayander, Vasai,
the body tissues (Ghose 2003). etc. As per the record of MPCB there are about
Environ Monit Assess (2011) 173:643–652 645

5,449 industries in Thane region. The various Each locality of soil sample was sampled once in
industries includes textile industries, dye manu- the month of December 2008 to February 2009.
facturing industries, match box factories, canning To avoid influence from various arbitrary surface
factories of various food stuff, fruit juice and conditions like waste and humus and to assure nat-
slices, as well as Beverage factories, pharmaceu- ural in place soil, the selected depth of sampling
tical and chemical factories, paper mill, jewelry was below the surface to 3-ft depth. The sampling
industry, paint industry, insecticide industries, etc. was carried out using a plastic spatula, and the
The waste from these industries directly or in- use of metal tools was avoided. The samples were
directly find their way into the surface water, collected in self-locking polythene bags and were
groundwater, and creek. air dried for 2 days and kept in oven for 4 h at
60◦ C. The dried samples were then disaggregated
Sample collection with mortar and pestle and sieved through 2-mm
sieve. Weighing of the sample was carried out
For the assessment of groundwater quality, using analytical balance with precision as low as
22 groundwater samples were collected during 0.0001 g. Soil samples of 1 g each were taken in
April–May 2008. Samplings stations for ground- 100 ml beaker and digested with 10 ml of aquare-
waters were located in industrial, commercial, and gia on hot plate for 1 h. After evaporation to near
residential areas and were selected as representa- dryness, the samples were dissolved with 10 ml of
tive for Thane region. Groundwater samples G2 , 2% nitric acid, filtered and then diluted to 100 ml
G4 , G5 , G6 , G7 , G8 , G9 , G12 , G13 , G17 , and G20 with double-distilled water.
were collected from residential areas, G1 , G11 ,
G16 , G18 , and G19 from commercial areas and Heavy metal analysis
G3 , G10 , G14 , G15, G21 , and G22 were collected
from industrial areas. Groundwater samples were Seven groundwater samples were selected for
drawn from bore and dug wells preferably in the heavy metal analysis as representative of resi-
morning hours (9:00 a.m.). Groundwater samples dential, commercial, and industrial area. Ground-
collected using polythene container (5 l) previ- water samples were digested in A.R. grade
ously washed with 6 N nitric acid. The samples con. HNO3 for half an hour. Groundwater
were filtered using Whatman filter paper num- and soil samples were analyzed for metal ions
ber 41 and acidified with nitric acid to maintain by inductively coupled plasma–atomic emission
the pH of the samples less than two for heavy spectroscopy (Model ICP-AES-9000, Shimadzu,
metal analysis (Ramesh and Anbu 1996). The Japan). The metals were estimated in the sample
major water quality parameters considered for the solution by aspirating the sample solution directly
examination are pH, electrical conductivity, total into plasma of the instrument. The instrument was
dissolved solids, dissolved oxygen, chemical oxy- standardized for the individual elements. Calibra-
gen demand, total hardness, total alkalinity, chlo- tion curve was obtained for every metal ion using
rides, sulfates, nitrates, calcium, and magnesium standard solution. Standard solutions were pre-
potassium and sodium. These parameters have pared from 1,000 mg/l stock solution of different
been determined by standard methods (APHA- metals of interest. The minimum concentration of
AWWA 1998). metal that could be detected by the instrument
was 10 ppb.
Soil samples

Twelve soil samples were analyzed for heavy met- Result and discussion
als. Soil samples SL2 , SL4 , SL10 , and SL11 were
collected from residential areas, SL1 , SL3 , SL5 , The water quality parameters and heavy metal
SL6 , SL7 , and SL9 from industrial areas, and SL8 analysis in water samples and soil samples are
and SL12 were collected from agriculture land. presented in Tables 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively.
646 Environ Monit Assess (2011) 173:643–652

Table 1 Water quality Station Temp. PH Elec. Cond. TDS DO COD TH TA

parameters of
groundwaters of Thane G1 34.0 7.39 1,387 902 2.84 380 456 289
Region, India G2 34.5 7.5 742 482 5.67 600 320 125
G3 34.2 6.75 1,385 900 3.44 592 480 308
G4 35.0 7.28 867 564 5.27 40 344 135
G5 35.6 7.2 1,350 878 3.85 80 524 529
G6 35.3 8.32 2,530 645 3.24 820 320 375
G7 35.4 7.01 1,390 904 3.44 480 566 289
G8 35.6 7.85 1,283 834 5.4 432 384 347
G9 34.9 7.23 633 412 4.6 1,136 192 192
G10 34.6 7.01 3,310 2,152 4.8 480 468 288
G11 34.8 7.6 760 494 3.24 336 244 307
G12 34.6 7.2 980 637 3.04 200 292 336
G13 34.9 7.40 715 465 4.05 400 296 298
G14 35.0 6.98 1,042 677 5.27 84 328 347
G15 35.2 8.92 720 468 3.44 1,920 324 500
Except PH, and electrical
conductivity (μS cm−1 ) G16 35.0 7.49 2,320 1,508 2.028 1,280 760 597
all values are expressed G17 34.9 7.90 1,712 1,113 2.02 1,200 716 654
in mg/l. G18 35.8 5.41 1,720 1,118 3.2 1,280 640 183
TDS total dissolved G19 35.1 8.02 2,110 1,371 3.04 1,600 764 192
solids, DO dissolved G20 35.2 7.7 790 514 3.44 1,600 324 288
oxygen, COD chemical G21 35.4 8.23 750 488 3.65 320 246 298
oxygen demand, TH total G22 35.6 7.82 460 299 3.85 1,080 152 96
hardness, TA total Mean – 7.46 376 743 4.16 747 416 317
alkalinity, HDL highest
WHO standard
desirable limit, MPL
HDL 7–8.5 – 500 – – 100 –
maximum permissible
limit MPL 6.5–9.5 – 1,000 – 255 500 120

Table 2 Water quality Samples Cl− SO2−

4 NO−
3 PO3−
4 Ca2+ Mg2+ Na+ K+
parameters of
groundwaters of Thane G1 252 24 0.0541 0.46 119 39 113 42
Region, India G2 113 22 0.50 0.13 63 40 76 4
G3 174 69 1.86 0.0026 93 61 45 0.6
G4 121 30 0.013 0.020 56 49 40 8.0
G5 178 42 0.024 0.034 118 56 90 6.0
G6 476 64 0.31 0.162 16 68 223 8.0
G7 135 150 0.046 0.010 136 56 40 0.0
G8 178 3.0 0.494 0.60 64 55 100 18
G9 118 6.08 0.510 1.312 22.5 33 76 14.6
G10 634 108 0.39 0.20 85 64 290 14
G11 112 25 0.092 0.88 60 23 50 0.3
G12 164 50 1.079 0.23 58 36 72 3.6
G13 70 5.6 0.06 0.092 58 37 25 0.2
G14 295 7.28 0.23 0.88 56 46 67 8.0
G15 231 44.8 0.23 2.44 68 38 30 3.0
G16 586 38 14 2.45 134 103 183 39
G17 426 31 0.19 0.35 74 100 50 5.0
G18 298 154 0.10 0.044 184 44 83 6.0
G19 685 137 0.098 0.060 183 75 135 7.0
G20 124 19 0.174 0.0711 91 24 59 7.0
G21 93 17 0.342 0.060 61 23 74 4.0
All parameters are G22 85 15 0.0013 0.053 37 14 6 5.0
expressed in mg/l
Mean 252 50 0.946 0.916 84 49 87 9.3
HDL highest desirable
HDL 200 200 0.0 – 75 30 –
limit, MPL maximum
permissible limit MPL 600 400 0.45 – 200 150 200 –
Environ Monit Assess (2011) 173:643–652 647

Table 3 Heavy metal concentration in groundwaters of Thane Region, India

Station Arsenic Copper Cobalt Cadmium Iron Mercury Nickel Zinc Lead Chromium
(As) (Cu) (Co) (Cd) (Fe) (Hg) (Ni) (Zn) (Pb) (Cr)
(μg/l) (μg/l) (μg/l) (μg/l) (μg/l) (μg/l) (μg/l) (μg/l) (μg/l) (μg/l)
G1 490 6.10 40.1 6.9 32 7.7 4.9 2.4 6.21 7.2
G2 323 7.2 30.1 7.1 39 7.2 33.1 1.2 7.2 1.6
G6 500.1 69.1 40 7.67 29.1 8.2 39.6 9.1 6.6 2.12
G8 390 61.6 41 5.10 40 1.29 31.1 1.26 8.9 30
G10 291 51.1 39 4.0 33.1 12 29.1 1.12 7.61 29.1
G18 12.1 49.1 39.6 4.1 29.6 9.1 36.0 9.1 7.1 31.2
G19 99.8 62.1 26.6 21.0 33 8.8 38 1.2 6.8 4.9
WHO 10 2,000 – 3.0 – 1.0 20 3,000 10 50

The water pH ranged from 5.41 to 8.32, i.e., from ble limit, whereas remaining water samples shows
acidic to alkaline indicating the effluent contam- high values of chemical oxygen demand (COD)
ination (Rao et al. 2003). Total dissolved solids more than maximum permissible limits. The high
in groundwater samples G6 , G10 , G16 , G17 , G18 , value of COD may be due to contamination of
and G19 are more than maximum permissible limit well water and bore well water due to domestic
set by WHO. Groundwater samples G3 , G4 , G5 , and industrial sewage (Naik et al. 2007). Total
G7 , G8 , G12 , G14 , and G20 shows total dissolved hardness (152–760 mg/l) values of groundwater
solid within the highest desirable limit or max- samples are within the maximum permissible limit
imum permissible limit. Since no standard are set by WHO except samples G5 , G7 , G15 , G16 ,
suggested by WHO for dissolved oxygen electrical G17 , G18 , and G19 . The abnormal value of total
conductivity and sodium and potassium content hardness may be due to the discharge of domestic
for drinking water, no comparison could be made sewage, paper textile, and chemical waste (MPCB
for observed values. It was found that the values report 2005). High level of hardness may be due
of chemical oxygen demand for samples G4 , G5 , to proximity and hydraulic connection of ground-
G12 , and G14 are within the maximum permissi- water sources to the creek (Naik et al. 2007). The

Table 4 Heavy metal concentration in soils of Thane Region, India

Station Copper Arsenic Cobalt Cadmium Iron Mercury Nickel Zinc Lead Chromium
(Cu) (As) (Co) (Cd) (Fe) (Hg) (Ni) (Zn) (Pb) (Cr)
(mg/kg) (mg/kg) (mg/kg) (mg/kg) (g/kg) (mg/kg) (mg/kg) (mg/kg) (mg/kg) (mg/kg)
SL-1 115 3.05 83.3 34.9 68.7 1.3 244 77.8 43.6 279.4
SL-2 185 3.7 7.6 38.6 74.8 1.54 231 86.5 49.2 235.9
SL-3 94.2 6.86 54.8 24.10 44.2 1.13 68.9 62.7 39.4 128.1
SL-4 148 6.54 76.9 34.8 68.7 1.11 77.2 93.0 43.8 166.3
SL-5 156 11.2 51.1 23.2 39.40 1.17 114 133 43 97.5
SL-6 51.5 1.6 68.4 26.6 51.80 1.18 80.4 64.40 42.4 150.3
SL-7 163 ND 63.7 31.2 48.70 ND 117 162 40.8 157.5
SL-8 161 ND 41.7 21.6 30.30 ND 120 188 38.6 109.9
SL-9 373 ND 97.5 36 48.50 ND 347 7,120 48.6 233.4
SL-10 114 ND 56.6 28.7 45.80 ND 93.4 73.1 37.8 66.2
SL-11 94.6 0.073 85.4 29.5 45.70 ND 465 88.9 35.9 269.4
SL-12 206 ND 70.3 33 51.20 ND 89 124 42.9 79.9
SGV 100 15 30 0.4 – 1.0 35 350 80 120
Iron (Fe) concentration in g/kg
ND not detected, SGV Swedish guideline values for levels in polluted soils (mg/kg)
648 Environ Monit Assess (2011) 173:643–652

mean value of alkalinity in groundwater of Thane from sewage (Naik et al. 2007). Arsenic poisoning
region was found be 317 mg/l, which exceeded the is usually acute with major action on gastrointesti-
desirable limit. nal tract and cardiovascular system. Symptoms
The concentration of chloride was found in the include profuse watery diarrhea, severa colic, and
range of 70–685 mg/l. The groundwater samples dehydration; weak pulse, marked skeletal muscle
G6, G10 , G14 , G16 , G17 , G18 , and G19 contain high cramps, shock, coma, and death occur within 24 h
value of chlorides, which is above the maximum (Tripathi and Pandey 2001).
permissible limit as set by WHO. High concentra-
tion of chlorides in these water samples may be Copper
due to natural processes, such as passage of water
through natural salt formation, or it may be an The value of copper concentration in water varied
indication of pollution from industrial or domestic from 6.10 to 69.1 μg/l, and in soil, it varied from
waste (Khan 2001; Rao et al. 2003). 94.2 to373 mg/l. The copper level in groundwa-
Sulfate (5.6–108 mg/l), nitrate (0.0013–14 mg/l), ter is within the permissible limit set by WHO.
phosphate (0.010–2.45 mg/l), calcium (16– Toxicity of copper to aquatic life is dependent
184 mg/l), and magnesium (14–103 mg/l) values on the alkalinity of water, as copper is generally
of groundwater samples are within the highest more toxic to aquatic fauna at lower alkalini-
desirable limit or maximum permissible limit set ties (Train 1979). Overdoses of copper may also
by WHO. lead to neurological complications, hypertension,
and liver and kidney dysfunctions (Larocque and
Rasmussen 1998; Rao et al. 2001; Krishna and
Heavy metals Govil 2004). All soil samples show high level of
copper; this is beyond the limit as prescribed by
Heavy metals are a major source of pollution in Swedish soil guideline values for polluted soils.
natural waters due to industrial waste disposal
and considered highly toxic to aquatic organ- Cadmium
isms. The compounds of these elements are non-
biodegradable and hence remains suspended or The values of cadmium concentration in water
partially dissolved in water columns and get ac- varied from 4.1 to 40 μg/l, and in soil, it varied
cumulated in many aquatic organisms. The heavy from 21.6 to 38.6 mg/kg. The level of cadmium in
metals in the aquatic environment or in the food groundwater samples is beyond the limit as pre-
web affect aquatic life in various ways. The kid- scribed by WHO. Groundwater sample located
ney and liver are reportedly damaged, leading to in industrial area shows maximum concentration
general body weakness, poor appetite affecting re- of cadmium 40 μg/l. All soil samples show high
productive processes, and changes in physiological level of cadmium beyond the limit as prescribed
activities (Luoma and Carter 1991). by the Swedish soil guideline values for polluted
soils. High level of cadmium concentration may
Arsenic be due to discharge from industrial waste or by
leaching from sewage laden landfills (Singh 2003).
Arsenic forms a variety of inorganic and or- In uncontaminated freshwater sediment, cad-
ganic compounds of different toxicity reflecting mium is generally detected 0.1–1.0 mg/kg weight
the physicochemical properties of arsenicals of increasing to 4–10 mg/kg in contaminated areas
different valency. It was found that arsenic (Mohapatra 1988). High cadmium level may be
in groundwater samples in the range of 12.1– attributed to large use of PVC plastics, nickel
500.1 μg/l. This is beyond the limit prescribed by cadmium batteries, insecticides, motor oil, and
WHO. The soil sample contains arsenic in the disposal of sludge in dumpsites (Jarup 2003). Cad-
range of 0.073–11.2 mg/l. High levels of arsenic mium is highly toxic, producing symptoms such as
in groundwaters and soil are probably the result nausea, vomiting, respiratory difficulties, cramps,
of discharge from industrial waste or by leaching and loss of consciousness at high doses. Chronic
Environ Monit Assess (2011) 173:643–652 649

exposure to metal can lead to anemia, anos- (Nathan 1973).Chromium exists in soil as Cr+3
mia (loss of sense of small), cardiovascular dis- and Cr+6 ions is the stable form of chromium.
eases, renal problems, and hypertension (Mielke The hexavalent form of chromium is more toxic
et al. 1991; Robards and Worsfold 1991). Friberg and also known to be more mobile in the soil
(1948) reported the coexistence of renal and lung environment than the trivalent form (Ramesh and
damage among workers of alkali storage plant. Anbu 1996).
Cadmium effect on cardiovascular system was ex- Chromium is an essential trace element, re-
plained by linking dietary cadmium to hyperten- quired for the metabolism of lipids and proteins
sion (Schroeder 1965). Shell fish liver and kidney and to maintain a normal glucose tolerance factor.
are the foods that accumulate very high concen- High doses of chromium cause liver and kidney
tration cadmium up to 10 μg/g. damage and chromate dust is carcinogenic (SEGH
2001; Mugica et al. 2002).
Lead
Mercury
In the present investigation, lead ranged from
6.21 to 8.9 μg/l in water samples, while in soils,
The values of mercury concentration in water var-
it ranged from 35.9 to 49.2 mg/kg. The lead level
ied from 1.29 to 12 μg/l, while in soil, it varied
in groundwater sample is within the permissible
from 1.11 to 1.54 mg/kg. All groundwater samples
limit as prescribed by WHO. All soil samples show
show mercury level beyond the limit as prescribed
low level of lead with in the limit as prescribed
by WHO. Out of 12 soil samples, six soil samples
by Swedish soil guideline values for polluted soils.
show high level of mercury level beyond the limit
Soil samples collected from industrial areas show
as prescribed by Swedish soil guideline values for
high lead concentration as compared to other ar-
polluted soils.
eas. Similar observation was reported by Forstner
Mercury as such is volatile but in aquatic envi-
(1979), the areas receiving sewage waste and in-
ronment under the influence of bacteria and fungi,
dustrial wastewater containing Pb, concentration
gets converted into the highly toxic methyl mer-
of 850 ppm. Lead is a cumulative poison, initi-
cury form. These compounds are readily absorbed
ating hypertension, tiredness, irritability, anemia,
and concentrated by aquatic plants and animals.
behavioral changes, and impairment of intellec-
Tejam and Halder (1975) reported that fishes
tual functions in affected patients (Tebbutt 1983).
from Mumbai and Thane region had 35.56 mg of
Long-term exposure to lead or its salts (especially
mercury per gram of fresh weight tissue. Shaw
soluble salts or the strong oxidant PbO2 ) can
(1987), who reported the effect of chloro alkali
affect adversely to nervous system and kidneys
factory effluents in Orissa on plants and animal
(Mugica et al. 2002).
life, has found mercury as main pollutant.
Chromium
Iron
The values of chromium concentration in wa-
ter varied from 1.6 to 31.2 μg/l, while in soil, The values of iron concentration in waters var-
it varied from 79.9 to 279.4 mg/kg. The level ied from 29.1 to 40 μg/l, while in soils, it varied
of chromium concentration in groundwaters is from 30.30 to 74.8 mg/kg. Iron is one of the ma-
within the limit prescribed by WHO. All soil sam- jor constituents of the lithosphere and comprises
ples show high level of chromium beyond the limit approximately 5% being concentrated mainly in
as prescribed by Swedish soil guideline values the magmatic rocks. Iron concentration in surface
for polluted soils; except soil samples SL5 ,SL8 , water is extremely variable, reflecting difference
SL10 , and SL12 . Chromium salts are used in in- in underlying bedrock, erosion to a lesser de-
dustrial processes and enter water bodies through gree, and industrial and municipal discharges. Iron
discharge of waters. Chromium compounds are releases as corrosion products in water and soil
often added to cooling water for corrosion control environment (Smith 1981).
650 Environ Monit Assess (2011) 173:643–652

Zinc Cobalt

In the present investigation, zinc ranged from Cobalt concentration in waters varied from 26.6
1.2 to 9.1 μg/l in water samples, while in soils, to 40.1 μg/l, while in soil, it varied from 41.7 to
it ranged from 62.7 to 7120 mg/kg. Soil samples 97.5 mg/kg. The WHO has not promulgated stan-
SL1, SL5, SL7 , SL8 , and SL9 collected from dard about cobalt for drinking water consump-
industrial areas show high level of zinc concen- tion. Vitamin B12, essential to humans, contains
tration. Soil sample SL9 shows highest concen- cobalt. Acute exposure to cobalt may lead to
tration of zinc (7,120 mg/kg). This is beyond the a depression in iodine uptake, anorexia, nausea,
limit as prescribed by Swedish soil guideline val- vomiting and diarrhea. In soils, the cobalt concen-
ues for polluted soils. Gogate et al. (1974) re- tration is beyond the limit as prescribed by the
ported 75–350 ppm. Zinc in the sediments of the Swedish soil guideline values for polluted soils.
Bombay Harbour. Matkar et al. (1981) reported
153–292 ppm for the same area. Zinc enters the
domestic water supply from the corrosion of gal- Conclusion
vanized iron and dezincification of brass besides
industrial waste (Speller 1951). Zinc belongs to All the physicochemical parameters of groundwa-
a group of trace metals, which are essential for ter of Thane region are within the highest per-
the growth of humans, animals, and plants and missible limit or maximum permissible limit as
are potentially dangerous for the biosphere when prescribed by WHO. The level of chemical oxy-
present in high concentrations. The main sources gen demand was recorded at the highest value
of pollution are industries and the use of liquid and beyond the permissible limit. Groundwater
manure, composted materials, and agrochemicals samples of Thane region recorded high values
such as fertilizers and pesticides in agriculture of electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids,
(Romic and Romic 2003). sodium, calcium, total hardness, total alkalinity,
and chlorides. The high concentration of these
parameters may be due to domestic and industrial
Nickel sewage discharge in groundwater table. As the
Thane region is a coastal area, there might be
The value of nickel concentration in waters varied a hydraulic connection of groundwater sources
from 4.9 to 39.6 μg/l, while in soils, it varied from to the creak due to which groundwater samples
77.2 to 465 mg/kg. Nickel levels in drinking water recorded high values of total dissolves solids, total
are generally low (<0.05 mg/l). The WHO has hardness and alkalinity.
not recommended any drinking water standard The level of heavy metals in groundwaters for
for nickel, as it is believed that nickel poses an arsenic, nickel, mercury, and cadmium is above
insignificant toxicological threat to drinking wa- the limit as prescribed by WHO. High level of
ter. The level of nickel as per Swedish guideline these metals in groundwater can harm ecosystems,
should be below 50 mg/kg. It is found that the plants, and animals and cause health problems in
soil sample from Thane region exceeds the limit humans.
of Swedish soil quality guideline. Sources of nickel Heavy metals in soil environment are com-
in water include contamination from municipal pared with Swedish guideline values for levels in
sewage sludge, wastewater from sewage treatment polluted soils. It was found that As, Ni, Hg, and
plants, and groundwater near landfill sites. Indus- Cd are above the permissible, limit whereas other
tries like ceramics, steel and alloys, electroplating, heavy metals are below the permissible limits. The
and refractory are contributors of nickel to wa- result reveals that whole of the study areas is heav-
ter. Anthropogenic sources include combustion of ily contaminated by arsenic, chromium, cadmium,
fuel or waste released from industries. mercury, and cobalt. The level of these metals is
Environ Monit Assess (2011) 173:643–652 651

above the limit as prescribed (SSQG). In the in- Gogate, S. S., Rao, S. R., & Shah, S. M. (1974). Elemental
dustrial areas, the random dumpling of hazardous concentration in Bombay Harbour sediments. Indian
Journal of Marine Sciences, 5, 41–45.
waste and release of untreated effluents in soil
Govil, P. K., Reddy, G. L. N., & Krishna, A. K.
are the main causes of contaminant spreading by (2001). Contamination of soil due to heavy metals
rainwater and wind. In the residential areas, the in Patancheru industrial development area, Andhra
local dumpling is expected to be the main source Pradesh, India. Environmental Geology, 41, 461–469.
for heavy metals in soils. Grolimund, D., Brokovec, M., Bartmettler, K., & Sticher,
H. (1996). Colloid facilitated transport of strongly
Critical analysis data of heavy metals in ground- sorbing contaminants in natural porus media; a labo-
waters and soils show that arsenic, chromium, cad- ratory column study. Environmental Science and Tech-
mium, mercury and cobalt are more mobile and nology, 30, 3118–3123.
reaches to groundwater. The level of heavy metals Haya, K., & Waidood, B. A. (1985). Ademylate energy
charge at AT phase activity. Potential biochemical in-
in soils collected from residential areas is low as
dicators of sub lethal effects caused by pollutants in
compared to industrial areas. Vegetables grown aquatic animals. In: J. Nvigan (Ed.), Aquatic toxicol-
over the soil nearby railway track, open land, and ogy (Vol. 13, pp. 524–525). New York: Wiley.
vacant land of residential societies are dangerous Jarup, L. (2003). Hazards of heavy metal contamination.
for consumption because there are more possibil- British Media Bulletin, 68(1), 167–182.
Khan, M. A. (2001). Pollution of water resources due to
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Acknowledgements The authors wish to thank to Dr. mination of soil around Pali industrial area, Rajasthan,
G.B. Vishe, Principal, Dnyanasadhna College, Thane India. Environmental Geology, 47, 38–44.
for providing administrative support and Mr. D.S. Patil, Krishna, A. K., & Govil, P. K. (2005). Heavy metal dis-
Chemist, Insecticide Testing Laboratory, Thane for pro- tribution and contribution in soils of Thane-Belapur
viding laboratory facilities. The authors are also grateful to Industrial development area, Mumbai, Western India.
Mr. N. Kalyan M.D. Elca laboratories, Thane for assistance J. Environmental Geology, 47(8), 1054–1061.
in analysis of heavy metals by inductively coupled plasma Larocque, A. C., & Rasmussen, P. E. (1998). An overview
atomic emission spectroscopy. Thanks are also to Dr. R.P. of trace metals in the environment: Mobilization to
Chavan, Prof. B.S. Khollam, and Mr. Sumant Bikad for remediation. Environmental Geology, 33, 85–91.
useful suggestions. Luoma, S. N., & Carter, J. L. (1991). Effects of trace met-
als on aquatic benthos. In: M. C. Newman & A. W.
Mcintosh (Eds.), Metal ecotoxicology: Concept and ap-
plication. Chelesa: Lewis (MI.1).
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