Multivariate analysis of trace metals in textile effluents in relation to soil and groundwater

This paper deals with the multivariate analysis of metal data in effluents, soil and groundwater to find the distribution and source identification of the selected metals in the three media. Samples were collected from three textile industries located in Hattar Industrial Estate, Pakistan. Metals were estimated by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The results showed elevated levels of Cr, Pb, Ni, Co, Fe, Ca, Na, K and Zn in these media, following the order: soil>effluent>water. Principle component analysis (PCA) of the data showed that the textile effluents are contaminating the soil wherein Cr and Pb were dominant toxic metals having concentrations of 5.96 mg/kg and 4.46 mg/kg, respectively. Other toxic metals such as Co, Cd, Zn, Ni, Mn and Fe, were found to have common origin in the textile effluents. The correlation study along with linear regression and PCA, supported the fact that various elevated metal concentrations emerged from the textile industrial effluents ultimately leading to contamination of the soil and groundwater in their proximity. The estimated metal levels in the water/soil system are compared with the safe limits laid down by WHO.