Assesment of sediment pollution in Koradi Lake under the influence of industrial and thermal power activities

Prachi Vyas*, Anita M Chandak, Sujata Mankar

Department of Molecular Biology & Genetic Engineering, RTM University, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India

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Prachi Vyas, Anita M Chandak, Sujata Mankar, 2026. Assesment of sediment pollution in koradi lake under the influence of industrial and thermal power activities. Journal of medical pharmaceutical and allied sciences, V 15, I 3, Pages 55 – 63. Doi: https://doi.org/10.55522/jmpas.V15I3.7080.

ABSTRACT

The present study evaluates the physicochemical characteristics and heavy metal concentrations of lake sediments collected from Koradi Lake in the Nagpur environment of Maharashtra, India, an area influenced by urbanization, industrial activities and thermal power generation. Sediment samples were collected from multiple locations at a depth of 0-20 cm and analyzed using standard protocols. Physicochemical parameters, including pH, temperature, electrical conductivity, turbidity, total dissolved solids (TDS), total suspended solids (TSS), nitrate, fluoride, total hardness and chloride, were determined using established analytical methods. Heavy metal concentrations were quantified using inductively coupled plasmaatomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES).The sediment samples exhibited slightly alkaline pH (7.5), elevated temperature (42.53 °C), and relatively high electrical conductivity (465.6 µS cm⁻¹), indicating enhanced ionic content. TDS (335.3 mg L⁻¹) and TSS (78.53 mg L⁻¹) values were within permissible limits, whereas fluoride concentration (6.20 mg L⁻¹) exceeded recommended guidelines. Heavy metal analysis revealed notable concentrations of magnesium (114.64 mg L⁻¹), calcium (24.05 mg L⁻¹), copper (6.83 mg L⁻¹), lead (5.62 mg L⁻¹), cadmium (5.97 mg L⁻¹), chromium (4.53 mg L⁻¹), zinc (3.93 mg L⁻¹), and iron (2.93 mg L⁻¹), while arsenic, strontium, boron, and sulfur were below detection limits. The elevated levels of toxic metals such as Pb, Cd, and Cr suggest significant anthropogenic influence, likely originating from industrial effluents, urban runoff and nearby thermal power activities. This study provides baseline data essential for environmental risk assessment and supports the implementation of remediation measures to protect freshwater ecosystems in rapidly urbanizing regions.

Keywords:

Heavy metals, Bioremediation, Lake sediment, Industrial waste.

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