An assessment of heavy metals in red sand dunes near Bhimili of Visakhapatnam

P. Seshagiri Rao, B. Sujatha,

Abstract

The contamination levels of the thirteen elements Ba, Co, Cr, Cu, Mo, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sr, V, Y, Zn and Zr have been assayed in the Red sand dunes on the basis of geoaccumalation index, enrichment factor, contamination factor and degree of contamination. The tests reveal that the degree of contamination value obtained is 20.41, which is indicating the considerable degree of contamination in the study area. The mean soil PH is 6.38 indicating slightly acidic. Acidic PH increases the mobility of toxic metals results the toxic metals may enter the food chain and causes hazard to the health of life forms and by leaching their content also increase in ground water too.