ASSESSMENT OF HEAVY METAL CONTAMINATION AND GEOCHEMICAL BEHAVIOR IN GROUNDWATER NEAR INDUSTRIAL ZONES OF MORADABAD, INDIA

Abstract

Background: Industrial activities release significant quantities of heavy metals into the environment, contaminating groundwater and posing serious health risks. Moradabad, known for electroplating, brassware manufacturing, and allied industries, is vulnerable to such contamination.

Materials and Methods: A total of 50 groundwater samples were collected from bore wells and hand pumps across industrial and adjoining residential areas. Lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and hexavalent chromium (Cr⁶⁺) concentrations were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS), while pH and sulfate (SO₄²⁻) were measured using standard APHA methods. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics and Pearson’s correlation (SPSS v26).

Results: Mean concentrations of Pb (0.051 ± 0.010 mg/L), Cd (0.010 ± 0.002 mg/L), and Cr⁶⁺

(0.071 ± 0.015 mg/L) exceeded BIS permissible limits in several samples. pH ranged from 6.6 to

7.8 (mean 7.1 ± 0.3) and sulfate averaged 148.6 ± 27.5 mg/L. Significant correlations were observed between Pb and Cd (r = 0.825, p < 0.001) and between SO₄²⁻ and Cr⁶⁺ (r = 0.689, p < 0.001), indicating common industrial sources. A negative correlation between pH and Cr⁶⁺ (r = – 0.472, p = 0.002) suggested increased chromium mobility under mildly acidic conditions.

Conclusion: Groundwater in Moradabad’s industrial vicinity is contaminated with Pb, Cd, and Cr⁶⁺, primarily from anthropogenic sources such as electroplating and alloy manufacturing. Continuous monitoring, industrial effluent control, and community-level awareness programs are essential to mitigate health and environmental risks.