Copper, nickel, zinc, cadmium and lead contamination of soil at Kureepuzha near Ashtamudi Lake, Kollam District, India

Abstract

This paper discussed heavy metals such as coppper (Cu), nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) in the soil collected from three sites from the solid waste dumping ground at Kureepuzha, very close to Ashtamudi Lake. Also, control samples were collected and analyzed for the said heavy metals. The levels of all heavy metals differed significantly among the sites. Average values of heavy metals in different sites were higher than those of the levels proposed by European Union (2000). The dump sites in Kureepuzha therefore pose negative consequences on the soil and groundwater environment.

Keywords: Heavy metals, solid wastes disposal, compost, Kureepuzha dumping site