Title: Lead contamination in soil and groundwater in and around a lead processing industry: a case study

Authors: A. Ramesh; P.V. Sivapullaiah; H. Lakshmi Kantha; B.S. Nangendra Prakesh

Addresses: Karnataka State Pollution Control Board, Bangalore and Research Scholar, University Vishveshvaraya College of Engineering, Bangalore-560058, Karnataka, India ' Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-560012, Karnataka, India ' Karnataka State Pollution Control Board, Bangalore-560058, Karnataka, India ' University Vishveshvaraya College of Engineering, Bangalore-560056, Karnataka, India

Abstract: Environmental pollution is of major concern across the world, which is affected by a variety of contaminants. Lead is one of the major heavy metals used in industrial activity. Unscientific handling and disposal of lead bearing residues or lead waste has led to contamination of the surrounding soil and water environment. A detailed investigation of soil and groundwater was carried out in and around a selected lead processing industry located in a designated industrial area in Bangalore, India. The results of the investigations carried out indicated that there is no groundwater contamination, but lead concentration in top soil is found to exceed the prescribed standard limits at many places within the industrial premises. Considering the site condition and extent of contamination ex-situ remediation can be considered as the feasible remedial option.

Keywords: advection; dispersion; leachate; lead contamination; soil contamination; groundwater pollution; water pollution; lead processing industry; environmental pollution; heavy metals; India; ex-situ remediation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJETM.2013.054902

International Journal of Environmental Technology and Management, 2013 Vol.16 No.4, pp.343 - 354

Received: 24 Feb 2012
Accepted: 02 Oct 2012
Published online: 17 Sep 2014 *

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