METAL CONTAMINATION RESULTING CHANGES IN PHYSICOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS OF SURFACE SOIL AROUND OIL INSTALLATIONS OF SIVASAGAR DISTRICT OF ASSAM, INDIANILUTPALA DUTTA DEKA AND MD YAMIN HASSANAbstract Among the natural resources that are in the womb of nature crude oil is the most important mineral that is being used by all the nations of the world. Crude oil which is a conglomeration of variety of minerals when mixed with soil and water of the drilling sites, it changes the physico-chemical parameters of the soil and water. When penetrates into the soil, it directly affects its quality. In this study an increase in pH of the soil samples were recorded and expected because drilling fluids are rich in calcium which is a direct result of the use of calcium as an additive for preventing corrosion of the pipes. The present data indicates that Pb present in the soil samples ranges from 18.3 mg/Kg to 94.0mg/Kg which shows a deviation from the amount present in the control sample. The investigation shows that the amount of Co present in the soil of the adjoining areas of the oil drilling sites possess ten times more Co levels compared to control area. An increase in the amount of Cd can be seen with the maximum value of 49.6 mg/kg. An increase in the amount of Zn present in the soil is a major concern having a maximum value of 404.5 mg/Kg. For Mn the experimentally found ranges are 72.5 mg/kg to 510 mg/Kg. |