Concentration of Mercury and Other Heavy Metals in Central India

The contamination sites for the pollution of Hg and other heavy metals, i.e. Fe, Mn, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb and TI, have been detected in the central part of India in the mineral- and coal-rich areas which lie between 18° and 23° N latitude and 80° and 84° E longitude. The heavy metals are found to be associated with the natural resource materials, i.e. minerals and coal, and are emitted into the environment by both natural and human activities. Thirty one sediments samples derived from 20 different ponds and to different river basins were collected and analyzed by AAS. The pollution level of Hg and ten other heavy metals in water and sediments, distribution of Hg in water and sediments, and their sources are described.