Trace Analysis of Heavy Metals in Ground Water and Soil near Coal Based Thermal Power Plant Udupi Karnataka

Authors

Nausha Shetty, Jyothi K Shetty, Dr Mohandas Chadaga, Dr Udaya Shankara H N
Department of Civil Engineering ,Manipal Institute of Technology ,Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India.

Abstract

The study involves evaluation of quality of groundwater and soil near the Thermal power plant located in Udupi District, Karnataka, India based on seasonal variation. 24 samples of ground water and soil were collected during Pre-Monsoon, Post- Monsoon and Monsoon Seasons from the places which are surrounding the Thermal Power plant. Collected Ground water samples were tested for detection of various heavy metal concentrations such as Ni, Fe, Mn, Cr, and Pb and soil samples were detected for Ni, Fe, Mn, Cr, Pb, Cd and Co. Collected soil samples were sieved according to different Standard sieve size. After sieving, soil samples were digested using tri-acids (Nitric Acid, Hydrogen peroxide and Concentrated Hydrochloric acid). Both Ground water and Soil samples were analysed for heavy metal contamination by using Atomic Absorptive Spectrometry. From the results obtained for Pre-Monsoon, Post-Monsoon and Monsoon Season it showed that concentration of heavy metals in the samples were exceeding the permissible limit prescribed by WHO and BIS. Hence preliminary treatment should be done before discharging in to Ash ponds.