Determination and comparison studies of heavy metals in soil in surrounding villages of Muttukuru mandal, PSR Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh, India

The concentration of heavy metals (Pb, Cd, As, Co, Mn, Ni, Cr, Cu, and Hg) in soil was measured in 12 sampling sites of Muttukuru region, PSR Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh in India in March 2009 and December 2009, during two different seasons. Each soil sample was collected in three different depths (30cm, 60 cm, and 90 cm) from the surface level, to form the grab sample and homogeneous sample. The homogeneous sample was used for the determination of heavy metals. Concentration of heavy metals was measured by using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES) method.

The variations of heavy metals during two different seasons are summarized in the results and discussion section. Ranges of heavy metals in the surroundings of Muttukuru mandal in both seasons are: lead (16.8–46.6 mg/kg), copper (49.8–162.9 mg/kg), chromium (ND–25.6 mg/kg), cadmium (6.9–22.9 mg/kg), nickel (18.4–69.4 mg/kg), manganese (49.2–118.6 mg/kg), cobalt (6.4–24.6 mg/kg), arsenic (4.3–9.6 mg/kg), and mercury (ND–0.8 mg/kg). Each metal in different locations during the two seasons are compared by using graphical representation studies.