Journal of Scientific Research and Reports

Heavy metal accumulations in the environment are major sources of pollution and contamination. Soil samples were collected from Kotur industrial area and analysed for heavy metal concentration such as Vanadium, Chromium, Nickel, Cobalt, Copper, Zinc, Barium, Lead, Rubidium, Strontium, and Zircon using inductively coupled mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) instrument. The ranges of concentration obtained for these metals are V (60.96-111 mg/kg), Cr (68.22–141.03 mg/kg), Ni (33.18-68.74 mg/kg), Co (10.16-17.67 mg/kg), Cu (26.35-47.59 mg/kg), Zn (49.95-183.23 mg/kg) and Pb (30.98-79.91 mg/kg). The analytical data revealed concentration above the background values. The assessment of the contamination level of the area was based on geoacummulation index (Igeo), enrichment factor (EF) and anthropogenic input. The result also showed enrichment associated with anthropogenic input for the heavy metals such as Cr, Ni, Pb, and Cu in the study area. The calculated Igeo values ranges from 1.19 to 1.43. The EF values for Cr, Ni and Pb range from 0.80 to 3.08, 0.68 to 3.07 and 0.82 to 20.6 respectively indicating moderate enrichment. The coefficient values of 0.90, 0.66, 0.62 and 0.58 observed between V and Co, Cu and between Pb with Y and Zr indicate input from similar sources.