CONTAMINATION OF HEAVY METALS IN TANNERY EFFLUENT AND SOIL
P. RAJALAKSHMI *
DEPTT. OF ZOOLOGY, QUEEN MARY'S COLLEGE, CHENNA - 600 028, INDIA
S. BARATHY *
DERTMENT OF ZOOLOGY, MADURA COLLEGE, MADURAI-625 011, INDIA
T. SIVARUBAN *
DEPARTMENT OF ZOOLOGY. THE AMERICAN COLLEGE, MADURAI-625 003, INDIA
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This paper analyzes the determination of heavy metals like Chromium, Còpper, Lead and Cadmium deposited in soil as well as in the effluent in the tanneries at Dindigul. The tanneries discharge untreated tannery effluents which get mixed with the soil, water of rivers and canals in this area. The physico-chemical parameters were analysed and heavy metal analysis was conducted by using Atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS). The results showed that all metals such as Cr, Pb and Cd exceeded the standard limits in effluents and soil. Copper concentration was found lower than the permissible limit. All the physico-chemical parameters were present in significant quantities.