Quantitative status of heavy metals in soils of Quetta irrigated by sewage water

ABSTRACT

In soils of different areas of Quetta city, irrigated by sewage water, the highest concentration of heavy metals was found to be as follows lead [1.38 ppm], copper [0.86 ppm], chromium [0.036 ppm], cadmium [0.29 ppm], iron [10.50 ppm], nickel [0.74 ppm], zinc [19.45 ppm] and arsenic [0.001 ppm] on average basis. The sewage water contained lead [53.26 ppb], copper [22.5 ppb], chromium [1.33 ppb], cadmium [0.53 ppb], iron [127.7 ppb], nickel [51.14 ppb], manganese [17.08 ppb], zinc [31.38 ppb] and arsenic [0.011 ppb]. At each site the concentration of heavy metals and sewage water showed positive relationship