Assessment of the Heavy Metal Contaminations of Roadside Soil in Aizawl, Mizoram (India): An In-Depth Analysis Utilising Advanced Scientific Methodologies
Affiliations: Department of Environmental Science, Mizoram University, Aizawl, Mizoram
| Department of Chemistry, Pachhunga University College, Aizawl, Mizoram
| Department of Statistics, Pachhunga University College, Aizawl, Mizoram
Abstract: The study was conducted to evaluate the heavy metal contamination levels in the roadside soil of Aizawl, Mizoram (India). Twelve sites were sampled monthly from August 2020 to July 2021, and concentrations of copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) were analyzed using atomic absorption spectrometer. The concentrations of heavy metals at the twelve studied sites varied widely from 0.43-1.06, 20.54-21.21, 2.69-3.41, 0.25-0.54, 0.31-0.49 and 1.35-1.77 for Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn respectively. Pollution assessment tools such as the pollution load index, geo-accumulation index, and enrichment factor indicated moderate pollution levels. The study also observed fluctuations in the contamination levels due to the monsoon rainfall and the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. Principal component analysis identified vehicular emissions, industrial activities, and atmospheric deposition as the potential sources of heavy metal contamination, with varying patterns observed at each site. While the observed heavy metal concentrations generally met permissible limits, the elevated levels suggested anthropogenic influences. It is crucial to continuously monitor and manage heavy metal contamination to mitigate potential health risks associated with heavy metal exposure.
Keywords: Heavy metals, roadside soil, pollution, Aizawl, pollution load index, geo-accumulation index, enrichment factor, principal component analysis
