Multivariate Analysis of Heavy Metal Pollution in Soils Near Metal Scrap Dealers in the Ankleshwar Region
Mayuri Patil
Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Science, Shree Ramkrishna Institute of Computer Education and Applied Sciences, M.T.B. College Campus, Athwalines, Surat, Gujarat, India.
Pratik Patel *
Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Science, Shree Ramkrishna Institute of Computer Education and Applied Sciences, M.T.B. College Campus, Athwalines, Surat, Gujarat, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Soil heavy metal contamination is a severe environmental and public health issue in areas of industry, such as Ankleshwar, a serious industrial centre of India. This research is aimed at the multivariate analysis of heavy metal soil pollution around metal scrap dealers' places in the area. Soil samples were taken from various sites and tested for heavy metal content, namely Chromium (Cr), Nickel (Ni), Copper (Cu) and metals like Iron (Fe), Aluminum (Al), Manganese (Mn), Sodium (Na), Potassium (K). Multivariate statistical methods like principal component analysis (PCA) were used to determine the sources of pollution. Site-1 (29.8%) shows an inverse relationship between K, Mn, Ni versus Cu, Na, and Al. Site-2 (27.9%) indicates areas with elevated Cr, Fe, K, and Al compared to Ni and Mn, suggesting specific pollution sources. Site-3 (20.9%) points to weathering processes affecting elemental separation, while Site-4 (12%) highlights Al leaching in certain areas. This research offers useful information on soil contamination and highlights the importance of stricter environmental controls and remediation measures to prevent heavy metal pollution in the study area.
Keywords: Heavy metal pollution, soil contamination, multivariate analysis, principal component analysis (PCA), metal scrap dealers