A Study on Development of Pollution Index Models and Multivariate Statistical Analysis for Heavy Metals in the Soils of APIIC, Visakhapatnam

Soil pollution is a worldwide problem caused by both natural and anthropogenic activities. This has resulted in health and physiological problems to both plants and animals. This study investigated heavy metals in soils within the immediate vicinity. Soils from Seven APIIC zones in Visakhapatnam were collected and analysed for physicochemical characteristics and heavy metals. The data obtained were subjected to the pollution index model and multivariate statistical analysis. The data obtained showed that the soils are rich in zinc, and heavy metals are above trace level with a minor positively skewed distribution. The analysis of pollution index, geoaccumulation index and ecological risk factors in soils in all the locations showed that they are mainly contaminated and polluted by Cd followed by Zn. The mean heavy metal concentrations around APIIC can be arranged in increasing order as Cr < Co < Pb < Cu < Cd < Zn. Element pairs such as Zn-Pb, Zn-Cu, Zn-Cd, Pb-Cu, Pb-Cd, Cu-Cr, Cd-Co and Cr-Co showed strong positive correlation coefficient “r” indicating their association in the study area. The observed concentrations of heavy metals revealed that soil contamination has been increasing and measures must be taken to ensure the adoption of more environment-friendly practices.