Impact of Tanning Industries on Groundwater Quality of Chrompet and Pallavaram near a Metropolitan City in India

Abstract

Tanneries use a large number of chemicals during the process of leather making, such as chromium sulphate, sodium chloride, and calcium hydroxide. The salts present in the effluent seep into the ground surface and thereby cause the pollution of ground water sources in the area. The present study was carried out with the objective of determining the extent of groundwater pollution caused by tanning industries in Chromepet area located south of Chennai, Tamil Nadu, and India. Water samples were collected from 22 locations in Jan 2018 and analyzed for chromium content. EC ranged from 1,035 to 5,655μS/cm and it was at permissible levels, in only 5.6% of groundwater samples. Normally, Chromepet and pallavaram area groundwater is not suitable for drinking purpose and it contains prominent level concentration of most major ions and chromium. This impact is due to the partially treated effluent discharged from the tanning industries into open drains. The Chromium concentration of this area was above the permissible limit (0.05 mg/l) in 86% of the groundwater samples. Chromate poisoning cause’s severe skin disorders such as allergic dermatitis and liver and kidney damage and there is considerable evidence that chromium is carcinogenic. In view of this, it is of paramount importance to look for and to evaluate the chromium levels in the drinking waters of the area and assess their status of portability in the light of the criteria laid by Bureau of Indian Standards (B.I.S).

Keywords: Contamination, chromium, groundwater, pollution, tanneries.