Assessment of various heavy metals level in groundwater and soil at tannery manufacturing areas of three mega cities (Sialkot, Lahore and Karachi) of Pakistan

Heavy metals pollution of water and soil caused by industrial activities has become a prominent environmental concern in Pakistan. Thus, it is important to examine the contaminants concentration in water and soil close to the industrial areas. In this study, we have evaluated the different heavy metals contamination in groundwater and soil at tannery areas of three large cities of Pakistan, Lahore, Karachi and Sialkot. Groundwater and soil samples collected from Lahore, Karachi and Sialkot tannery areas and examined for chromium, iron, nickel, cadmium, lead, copper, and manganese by atomic absorption spectrometer. The results presented that groundwater and soil in the Lahore, Karachi, and Sialkot are highly contaminated with several heavy metals. Particularly, the concentration of chromium varied from 0.41 to 1.107 mg L-1 in Lahore, 0.35 to 2.209 mg L-1 in Karachi and 0.31 to 2.29 mg L-1 in Sialkot and from 1,731 to 2,554 mg kg(-1) in Lahore, from 1,676 to 3,018 mg kg(-1) in Karachi and from 1,793 to 3,274 mg kg(-1) in Sialkot in groundwater and soil, respectively. Correlation exploration has recognised that metals in soil and groundwater of study areas having common origin/source, believed to be leather processing industries of Lahore, Karachi and Sialkot.

Automated summary

Industrial activities in Pakistan have led to heavy metals pollution in water and soil, posing a significant environmental concern. This study evaluated the contamination of groundwater and soil with different heavy metals in tannery areas of three major cities in Pakistan: Lahore, Karachi, and Sialkot. The results revealed high levels of heavy metals contamination, particularly chromium, in the groundwater and soil of these areas. Correlation analysis indicated that the sources of metal pollution in the soil and groundwater were likely the leather processing industries in Lahore, Karachi, and Sialkot.