6
Journal ofthe Indian Society of Soil Science, Vol. 41, No. I, pp 79-83 (J993j Pollution of Estuarine Systems: Heavy Metal Contamination in the Sediments of Estuarine Systems around Madras d K.O. JOSEPH AND J.P. SRIVASTAVA* Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture, Madras, Tamil Nadu, 600 008 Abstract: Comparative studies carried out on bottom sediment and water of Adyar, Ennore and lake Pulicat during 1984- 85 revealed the presence of mercury, zinc, lead, copper, chromium, nickel and cadmium in the.fiTSt two estuaries while lake Pulicat remained reasonably free from heavy metal pollution. i n Ennore estuary, the concentration of metals in sediments were higher at the upper reaches (head of the estuary) and decreased towards the estuarine mouth while in Adyar estuary, higher concentrations werenoted in the middle of the estuary. The observed results were compared with the concentrations for the unpolluted sediments. The concentrations of metals In all the sediments showed considerable seasonal variation. (Key words: Estuarine sediments, heavy metals, seasonality) A knowledge on the distribution of heavy metals in Materials and Methods the estuarine envjfonment is in studying Samples of water and sediments were collected the aquatic pollution since such elements can be at qmerly intervals during 1984-85 kom three toxic even in traces and cause harmful effects. selected in each estuary, viz, mouth of Heavy metals are biologically nondegradable and the estuary; (2) centre of the estuary and (3) through food chain, it may pass on to man. upstream are,, (head of the estuary). Water samples The significance of sediment-bound mercury and were andysed for metals, except for Hg, adopting other metals to the aquous ecosystem the method of Brewer el al. (1969) by &elating with have long been recognised (Thomas & Jaquet 1976). pFolidine dithiocarbamate (A~~c), extracting with methyl isobutyl ketone W B K ) and The present investigation was taken up to assess aspirating this organic phase into atomic absorption the heavy metal pollution status in the sediments spectro~hotometer (Slavin 1964; Sprague & and overlying waters of Ennore and Adyar estuaries 1964). Cold VaPur atomic absorption around Madras which receive industrial and urban spectro~hotomeQ was used for the estimation of wastes. The data are compared with the results Hg (Gardner & Riley 197319 using an (Varion observed for the samples collected from lake Pulicat 'kchtron model AA 6) atomic absorption which is situated in the outskirts of Madras city and spectraphotometer. is free from industrial or sewage pollution. Sediment samples were dried in hot oven at 100°C. Because of the varying degrees of loss of elements reported in the case of dry ashing (Doshi et *Post Graduate Department oi Chemistry. Magadh University, Bodhgaya, Bihar, 824 234 al. 1969), wet ashing method was preferred. For the

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Page 1: Pollution Estuarine Systems: Heavy Metal Contamination of d

Journal ofthe Indian Society of Soil Science, Vol. 41, No. I , pp 79-83 (J993j

Pollution of Estuarine Systems: Heavy Metal Contamination in the Sediments of Estuarine Systems around Madras d

K.O. JOSEPH AND J.P. SRIVASTAVA*

Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture, Madras, Tamil Nadu, 600 008

Abstract: Comparative studies carried out on bottom sediment and water of Adyar, Ennore and lake Pulicat during 1984- 85 revealed the presence of mercury, zinc, lead, copper, chromium, nickel and cadmium in the.fiTSt two estuaries while lake Pulicat remained reasonably free from heavy metal pollution. i n Ennore estuary, the concentration of metals in sediments were higher at the upper reaches (head of the estuary) and decreased towards the estuarine mouth while in Adyar estuary, higher concentrations werenoted in the middle of the estuary. The observed results were compared with the concentrations for the unpolluted sediments. The concentrations of metals In all the sediments showed considerable seasonal variation. (Key words: Estuarine sediments, heavy metals, seasonality)

A knowledge on the distribution of heavy metals in Materials and Methods the estuarine envjfonment is in studying Samples of water and sediments were collected the aquatic pollution since such elements can be at qmerly intervals during 1984-85 kom three toxic even in traces and cause harmful effects. selected in each estuary, viz, mouth of Heavy metals are biologically nondegradable and the estuary; (2) centre of the estuary and (3) through food chain, it may pass on to man. upstream are,, (head of the estuary). Water samples The significance of sediment-bound mercury and were andysed for metals, except for Hg, adopting other metals to the aquous ecosystem the method of Brewer el al. (1969) by &elating with have long been recognised (Thomas & Jaquet 1976). pFolidine dithiocarbamate ( A ~ ~ c ) ,

extracting with methyl isobutyl ketone W B K ) and The present investigation was taken up to assess aspirating this organic phase into atomic absorption

the heavy metal pollution status in the sediments spectro~hotometer (Slavin 1964; Sprague & and overlying waters of Ennore and Adyar estuaries 1964). Cold VaPur atomic absorption around Madras which receive industrial and urban spectro~hotomeQ was used for the estimation of wastes. The data are compared with the results Hg (Gardner & Riley 197319 using an (Varion observed for the samples collected from lake Pulicat 'kchtron model AA 6) atomic absorption which is situated in the outskirts of Madras city and spectraphotometer. is free from industrial or sewage pollution. Sediment samples were dried in hot oven at

100°C. Because of the varying degrees of loss of elements reported in the case of dry ashing (Doshi et

*Post Graduate Department oi Chemistry. Magadh University, Bodhgaya, Bihar, 824 234 al. 1969), wet ashing method was preferred. For the

Page 2: Pollution Estuarine Systems: Heavy Metal Contamination of d

- 80 JOURNAL OF THE INDIAN SOCIETY OF SOIL SCIENCE [VO:~

+

estimation of Hg, wet sediment samples were be a contributory factor for the elevated level of the digested with a mixture of m03 and H2S04 metalinAdyar. (Thomson et al. 1980). Cold vapour atomic The concen~ations of heavy metals in the absorption technique was used for the estimation of =dimen@ are presented table 2. ~h~ Hg as described by Hatch and Ott (1968). Analyses concentrations in the sediment samples indicate were done in triplicate for all samples. significant accumulation of Hg, Zn, Pb, Cu, Ni and Results and Discussion Cd. The order of concentration of metals were found

ne of heavy metals in estuarine to be Zn > Ni > Pb > Cu > Cr > Cd > Hg in Adyar

waters are given in table 1. cr and zn andZn > Ni > P b > Cr > Cu 3 Cd > Hg in Ennore.

concentrations were higher in Ennore estuary, There was considerable metal contamination in indicating the influence of industrial effluents from water and sediment samples from Adyar and Ennore the nearby petro-chemical complex at Manali, estuaries in comparison to lake Pulicat. Even at low where at drainage channels the effluents show high levels, heavy metals get adsorbed in the bottom values (Cr and Zn concentrations in the outfall area sediments affecting benthos. Heavy metals are of Madras Refineries were 0.72 and 2.90 pg m~-'). regarded as potential pollutants in aquatic Cr is added for anti-corrosive purpose in refinery ecosystems because of their adso~ption in bottom and fertilizer industries. The discharge of the sediments even at low concentrations, effluent. containing Cr and Zn into the estuary may environmental persistence, their toxicity at low be the reason for occurrence of high concentrations concentration and their ab~lity to be Incorporated of these metals in Ennore estuary. In pollution-free into food chain and concentrate in aquatlc lake Pulicat, the concentrations of the metals were in organisms (Negilski 1976). traces or of very low magnitude. In Ennore estuary, the concentrations of metals Table 1. Concentratlow f1.18 dmL.Ij of heavy metah ln esfuarlne in sediments were higher at the upper reaches (head

water (Average of24 samplesj of the estuary) and decreased towards the estuarine Metals Estuanes mouth. The Red Hills Surplus Channel and

Adyar Ennore Pulicat Buckingham Canal which bring industrial effluents Hg Trace Trace T"ce and city sewage join at the head of this estuary. This Zn 0.11 0.16 may be the reason for the observed higher Pb 0.23 0.09 0'03 concentrations at the upstream area. In Adyar Cu 0.15 0.08 Trace Cr 0.15 0.17 estuary, the concentrations of metals were higher at

Trace M 0.08 0.07 Trace

the central part of the estuary where the

Cd 0.03 0.001 Trace Buckingham canal enters this estuary.

The Adyar river carries maximum flow during The concentrations of metals showed an the north-east monsoon (October to December). ~bservable ~ € % s o ~ l variation in A d ~ a r and Ennore Except during this period, the flow is not continuous estuarine sediments. The concentrations of metals and the estuary is cut off from the sea by the Were found to be higher during the of formation of a sand bar. The estuary reelves a November (monsoon Period) in Ennore estuary. heavy load of untreated city sewage through Ady* Many of the industries situated at the nearby Manali river and Buckingham canal, both of which traverse ~ @ o - ~ ~ ~ ~ ' ~ ~ ~ are having perennial through the city collecting washings from large effluent channels. The wastes are getting dried up in number of slums, cattleyards, wastes from barren lands and the freshets bring heavy automobiles, laboratories, foundries and ferrous and load of pollubnts into this (Joseph l989). non-ferrous industries. The higher concentration of The of fresh during Pb in *dyar (0~23 pg mL-13 may be monsoon land run-off may be altering theelemental mainly due to the influx of wmks from nearby budgetin theatuarinesedirnent* stsege battery company. The clsetz proximity ta one Unlike in Ennore estuary, in Adyar estuarine of the largest solid waste dump8 sf she city aim may dlrnent tbe cgnceomt6ons sf metals were higher

Page 3: Pollution Estuarine Systems: Heavy Metal Contamination of d

19931 HEAVY METALS IN ESTUARINE SEDIMENTS

Table 2. Conlenfs of heavy metals (mg kg-', dry weight) in estuarine sedimenl

Date

21.2.84 23.5.84 20.8.84 19.11.84 18.2.85 21.5.85 19.8.85 20.1 1.85

Average

Average

Average

21.2.84 23.5.84 20.8.84

19.11.84 18.2.85 21.5.85 19.8.85 20.1 1.85

Average

Ennore estuary Adyar estuary Pulicat Head Centre Mwth Head Centre Mouth lake*

(2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) Mercuiy

1.55 0.20 0.16 0.09 0.17 0.14 0.04 1.52 0.10 0.15 0.19 0.28 0.17 0.05 1.50 0.21 0.18 0.16 0.18 0.16 0.06 1.96 0.40 0.20 0.09 0.13 0.12 0.06 1 .6G 0.21 0.18 0.10 0.12 0.13 0.04

1.80 0.10 0.14 0.18 0.20 0.18 0.06

1.22 0.16 0.19 0.09 0.18 0.12 0.07

1.80 0.39 0.20 0.09 0.11 0.18 0.04

1.60 0.21 0.18 0.13 0.17 0.15 0.05

zinc 180.0 160.6 136.6 120.0 148.4 141.0 43.1

182.0 161 .O 139.2 140.0 168.0 164.0 48.0

186.6 164.0 141.0 113.2 118.0 120.0 42.2

198.2 170.2 142.0 112.2 120.0 118.6 36.6 186.0 166.6 138.2 130.1 162.6 138.6 51.2 184.0 164.4 136.1 148.2 180.8 168.0 50.0

184.2 163.2 136.2 127.6 141.4 140.2 49.0

199.1 172.3 144.1 126.1 140.0 131.0 50.0

187.5 165.3 139.3 126.6 147.4 140.2 46.3

Lead 33.2 32.7 30.0 58.0 42.2 43.2 14.2

32.0 30.0 30.0 88.0 48.2 49.0 16.1

33.1 31.0 31.2 70.0 43.1 42.1 14.0

48.2 46.2 43.3 52.2 41.0 43.1 15.0

34.0 32.1 31.2 85.2 42.0 40.2 15.8

35.2 39.2 36.6 90.2 43.0 46.0 16.0

38.3 38.1 37.5 86.6 43.0 42.0 14.0

50.7 48.2 43.0 56.2 40.0 40.2 15.0

38.1 37.2 35.4 73.3 43.3 43.5 15.0

Copper 14.0 18.6 13.1 19.2 11.1 17.0

14.2 18.0 14.0 17.0 16.2 19.2 16.5 18.1

18.3 16.6 14.7 17.9

Chromium 11.6 6.6 10.6 6.8 122 6.2 18.6 6.0 14.6 6.0 11.2 6.9

Page 4: Pollution Estuarine Systems: Heavy Metal Contamination of d

JOURNAL OF THE IPUDIAN SOCIETY OF SOIL SCIENCE

Table 2 (Cmtd)

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) 19.8.85 30.4 19.3 14.8 6.0 7.2 8.1 1.9 20.11.85 34.2 26.3 20.2 5.8 6.9 7.6 1.8 Average 30.8 18.1 14.0 6.1 7.9 7.6 1.6

Nickel 21.2.84 89.2 72.1 60.2 51.6 51.0 56.1 31.0 23.5.84 85.4 64.0 60.2 56.2 68.1 59.0 38.0 20.8.84 84.0 79.0 62.1 46.1 52.2 47.0 39.2 19.11.84 120.6 82.0 65.1 43.2 50.0 45.0 32.2 18.2.85 86.0 73.6 61.4 52.0 61.2 58.2 40.1 21.5.85 84.2 68.2 64.2 58.2 68.1 59.7 38.5 19.8.85 86.4 69.4 61.0 48.7 61.2 59.5 36.2 20.11.85 122.0 84.0 69.0 50.5 60.2 56.6 37.2 Average 94.7 74.0 62.9 50.8 59.0 54.9 37.2

Cadmiwn 21.284 0.9 0.7 0.8 0.3 0.5 0.6 BDL 23.5.84 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.5 0.8 0.8 BDL 20.8.84 0.8 0.6 0.4 0.4 0.6 0.5 BDL 19.11.84 1.6 1 .O 1 .O 0.3 0.4 0.4 BDL 18.2.85 0.8 0.7 0.7 0.3 0.6 0.7 BDL 21.5.85 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.9 0.9 BDL 19.8.85 0.6 0.9 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.5 BDL 20.11.85 1.2 1.5 1 .O 0.3 0.5 0.4 BDL Average 0.9 0.8 0.7 0.4 0.6 0.6 BDL *Average of 3 samples; BDL = Below deteuion limit

during the month of May (summer). This may be around Madras city were far below those that are mainly due to the ever increasing sewage effluxion found to affect the quality and life of benthic and less dilution by sea water owing to prolonged communities and other aquatic biota (Patel et al. closure of bar mouth during summer, availability of 1985). high saline waters and precipitation of particulate ~ ~ k ~ ~ ~ l ~ d ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ matter. During the monsoon season, when there is heavy influx of fresh water from the Adyar river, the The first author is grateful to Dr K.

estuarine sediments may be exchanging part of the Alagarswami, Director, CIBA and late Dr A.V. exchangeable phase of the metals of the water Natarajan, former Director of CICFRI, for their

column as reported from Cochin estuarine system valuable guidance. Thanks are also due to Prof. T.V.

(Ouseph 1987). Ramakrishna and Dr N. Balasubramaniam, Department of Chemistry, IIT, Madras for providing

The occurrence in water and facilities and help in the chemical analysis. sediments in Adyar and Ennore estuaries situated in the city limit is much higher than in the control, lake References

Pulicat where there are no indusuies or large human B E W ~ ~ , P.G., Spencer, M.D. & Smih, C.L. (1969) Aformc Absorption Spectroscopy, STP 443, American Society for

settlements. It is logical to presume that the TestingandMaterials,p.70. contamination of these estuaries is largely Do&, G.R., Srdumaran, C,, Mulay, 0, & Patel, B. (1969) due to anthropogenic inputs. The large number of Cwr. sci. 38.3%.

industries situated nearby use these 'pen water Gardner, D. & Rile;, J.P. (1973) J. Corn. I m f . Explor. Mer.35, bodies as big sinks for all their effluent dumping. 204. However, the levels of metals noted in the present Hatch, N.R. 8r m, W.L (1968) An&. Chem. 40,2085. study in the Ennore and Adyar estuarine ecosystems

Page 5: Pollution Estuarine Systems: Heavy Metal Contamination of d

A 3 1 HEAVY METALS IN ESTUARINE SEDIMENTS

Joseph, K.O. (1989) Proc. natn. Acad. Sci. India. 59.45. Slsvin, W. (1964)Afom. Absorpt. Newsl. 3, 15.

Negilski, N. (1976) Atlslralian J. Mar. Freshw. Res. 27, 15. Spragw, S . & Slavin, W. (1964) A!-. Absorp.Newsi. 3,111.

Ouseph. P.P. (1987) Proc. Mtn. Sem. Esfrvrrine M a ~ g e m c n i , Thomas, R.L. & Jaquet, JM. (1976) J. Fish. Res. Board, C a d , Trivandrum, p. 125. 33,404.

Patel, B., Bangara, US., Patel. S. & Balani. M.C. (1985) Mar. Thornson, J.A.J., Macdonald, R.W. & Wmg, CS. (1980) P o l l ~ l . Bd1.16.22. G e o c k m . J . 14.71.

(Received March 1991 Accepted J m e 1992)

Page 6: Pollution Estuarine Systems: Heavy Metal Contamination of d

Journal of the Indian Sociely of Soil Science, Vol. 41, No. I , pp 84-86 (1993)

Effect of Organic Matter with Microbial Inoculants on Pearl Millet

P.H. RASAL AND P.L. PATIL

College of Agriculture, Mahatma Phule Agricultural University, Pune, Maharashtra, 41 1005

Abstract: Afield trial was conducted in two successive years along with different organic wastes on yield of pearl millet (Pennisetum amencanum). Application of compost and crushed sugarcane trash in combination with decomposing and phosphate solubilizing cultures increased significantly the grain and dry matter yields. The yields due to compost plus microbial inoculants were higher than sugarcane trash and microbial inoculants. However, they were at par with each other indicating the beneficial effects of microbial inoculants with organic matter for its efficient utilization. (Key words: Bioinoculants, organic matter)

With the increasing use of high yielding crop yield ofpearl millet. - -

varieties, disposal of crop residues has become a Materials and Methods serious problem, especially in the intensive sugaTcme growing A ixge quantity of crop Sugarcane trash was crushed into small pieces residues (trash) is piled up every season which is (5-10 mm) by ROM machine, developed by W s normaly disposed off by burning, due to which a ShivaJi Agricultural College, h a r a v a t i potent source of organic matter is lost. The positive (Maharashtra). The cellulolytic microorganisms viz. advantages of the decomposition carried out in situ Aspergillus, Trichuus spiralis, Trichoderma viriak are listed by Gaur (1986). Active group of and Paecilomycis fusisporus and a phosphate microorganisms decompose cellulose rapidly and solubilizing microorganism, Aspergillus awamori, produce compost quickly (Kalekar et al. 1976; Rasd grown on jowar (Sorghum bicolorl) grain were er al. 1988) which also goes on naturally with the mixed with f i e bash @ 0.5 kg t- bash before help of native cellulolytic microorganisms in soil application in the field. Five tonnes of trash without and compost pits but takes long time. The addition and with c e l l ~ l ~ l y t i ~ , cellulolytic plus phosphate of laboratory grown effective cellulolytic solubilizing culture was directly incorporated into microorgmisms enhance the rate of microbiological the soil a month before sowing. S i ~ u ~ t ~ n e o ~ S l y 5 processes in composti~g of organic wastes. The tonnes of dwomposed sugarcane trash Compost (C final, product is a well rotted compost which 27%; N 0.93%; C/N 29:l) was also used for contains readily available plant nutrients. The comparison. The decomposing and decomposing present field experiment was conducted to ascertain plus phosphate solubilizing cultures were mixed the pssibility of utilizing sugarcane rash and with the compost incorporated in the field a month compost most efficiently by applying them with before sowing of the crop. The control treatment celhloly~c and phosphate . solubilizing was the Compost without any cultures. In nine microorgalisms and to fmd out their iffects on grain treatment combinations, including two forms of