Heavy metal distribution and contamination in soils of Thane-Belapur industrial development area, Mumbai, Western India

There is a growing public concern over the potential accumulation of heavy metals in soil, owing to rapid urban and industrial development in the last decade in India. Therefore, an attempt was made to investigate the pollution caused due to excessive accumulation of heavy metals in soils near Thane - Belapur industrial belt of Mumbai. Soil samples were collected from surrounding industrial areas and were analyzed for toxic/heavy metals by X-ray fluorescence spectrometer. The analytical results indicate that the soils in the study area were enriched with Cu, Cr, Co, Ni and Zn. The concentration ranges were: Cu 3.10 - 271.2 mg/kg ( average 104.6 mg/kg), Cr 177.9 - 1,039 mg/kg average 521.3 mg/kg), Co 44.8 - 101.6 mg/kg ( average 68.7 mg/kg), Ni 64.4 - 537.8 mg/kg ( average 183.6 mg/kg) and Zn 96.6 - 763.2 mg/kg ( average 191.3 mg/kg). The visualization of spatial data is made by preparing distribution maps of heavy metal concentration in soils and co-relation diagrams. These results highlight the need for instituting a systematic and continuous monitoring of the study area for heavy metals and other forms of pollution to ensure that pollution does not become a serious problem in future.