INVESTIGATION ON GROUND WATER, SOIL AND VEGETATION QUALITY WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO HEAVY METALS AROUND BELLANDUR LAKE AREA, BENGALURU

Abstract

In recent years, environmental pollution is a major problem in most of the cities and it is also one of the causes for human health issues. Heavy metal pollution have arisen the interest in researchers, because of its potential health hazards to the humans even at low concentration. This project work provides an insight about the level of contamination in the ground water, soil and also in vegetation around the Bellandur Lake, Bengaluru. Bellandur Lake was once upon a time, major source of water to the localities, now it stands as one of most highly polluted lakes in Bengaluru. The elevated concentration of pollutants in the lake is mainly because of the direct discharge of effluents into the lake water from the surrounding areas. This lake water is being used for irrigation of crops cultivated around the lake. Usage of contaminated water for irrigation of crops is a main cause for accumulation of heavy metals in the soil pores. Therefore in this project work, the distribution and migration of heavy metals in soil is studied along with the impact of contaminated soil on vegetation around Bellandur Lake, where the lake water is used for the cultivation of vegetables.