STM Article Repository

The focus of the study is to assess the contribution of open waste dumping in soil contamination and its effect on plant diversity cultivated around the Municipal solid waste (MSW) dumping site. Three different plants that are grown near the MSW dumping site of Ranipet Municipality, in Vellore District are chosen for the present study. Macro, micro nutrients such as Sodium, Potassium, Phosphorous and Zinc, heavy metals such as Chromium and Cadmiumin presence in edible parts (fruits) and leaves of the plants Ribes uva-crispa 'Invicta' L., Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam (jackfruit), Psidium guajava are studied using Atomic absorption spectroscopy and flame emission spectroscopy. Quantitative Phytochemical analysis with respect to total phenolics and total flavonoids were carried out on the plants samples to assess the impact of heavy metals contamination. The concentrations of Cd and Cr in plants served to indicate the metal contamination status of the site, and also reveal the abilities of various plant species to take up and accumulate the metals from the soil. Quantifiable presence of Phytochemical indicates that the plants are tolerant towards heavy metal toxicity. Further, it is also found that the essential plant nutrients are present in richer amount and the bioaccumulation of chromium is found to be more in the leaves of the plants than their fruits, but it is within the permissible limit. However, long time storage of this solid waste may lead to contamination of crops due to leaching of heavy metals from the dumping site. Hence more attention should be directed to words the potential health risks of heavy metals to residents living in the MSW dumping site.