Distribution of Heavy metals in Sediments of Wailpalli watershed, Nalgonda District, Telangana, India

Abstract

Monitoring of sediments is important for tracing the spreading and impact of pollution related changes as lakes/stream sediments act as sinks of pollution and accumulate heavy metals from the surrounding geogenic or anthropogenic sources. Environmental geochemical investigations were carried out in and around Wailpalli watershed located in between the latitudes 17⁰20” to 17⁰80”, longitudes 78⁰48” to 79⁰00” of Nalgonda district to assess the distribution of heavy metals in the study area. Sediment samples were collected and analyzed for Ba, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sr, V, Zn and Zr concentrations by Philips PW 2440 X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (XRF). Sediment samples were collected along the streams (nalas/creek) from a depth of 0-10cms.