Journal of Environmental Biology

Analysis of heavy metals in dying wetland Pallikaranai,
Tamil Nadu, India

Author Details

M. Sridevi Karpagavalli

Centre for Climate Change and Adaptation Research,? Anna University, Chennai? 600 025, ?????????????

India

P. Malini

Centre for Climate Change and Adaptation Research,? Anna University, Chennai? 600 025, ?????????????

India.

A. Ramachandran

(Corresponding author)????????

Centre for Climate Change and Adaptation Research, CEG Campus, Anna University, Sardar ?

Patel Road, Chennai ? 600 025, India.

e-mail : cccar7@gmail.com

Publication Data

Paper received:

14 December 2010

Revised received:

22? June 2011

Accepted:

06 August 2011

Abstract

Pallikaranai wetland has high ecological significance as it has been a home for other associated biodiversities. This wetland is highly polluted due to the rapid industrialization, urbanization and dumping of solid waste. The water quality of the Pallikaranai wetland has been studied with reference to toxic metals. The metals analyzed include lead, chromium, iron, copper, nickel, zinc and cadmium. The heavy metal analysis in surface waters were in the following range ; Cd : BDL ? 0.019 mg l^-1, Fe : BDL ? 1.52 mg l^-1, Cu : BDL ? 0.02 mg l^-1, Ni : BDL- 0.60 mg l^-1, Pb : 0.03 ? 1.13 mg l^-1, Zn :? 0.002 ? 0.14 mg l^-1 ?and Cr : 0.10 ? 1.52 mg l^-1 respectively. The dominance of various heavy metals in the surface water of the Pallikaranai wetland followed the sequence: Pb> Cr > Fe > Ni > Zn > Cd > Cu.? The quality of water has deterioted due to the various anthropogenic activities. Most of the metal ions were in higher concentration compared to the standards.? It has been observed that the quality of the surface water is not safe for aquatic and domestic life, hence necessary management actions should be taken to control the quality of the surface water. ?

Key words

Wetland, Heavy metals, Surface water, Management strategies

Copyright ? 2012 Triveni Enterprises. All rights reserved. No part of the Journal can be reproduced in any form without prior permission. Responsibility regarding the authenticity of the data, and the acceptability of the conclusions enforced or derived, rest completely with the author(s).