Fractionation of metals in soils of Kattedan industrial area of Hyderabad (India).

Heavy metals tend to accumulate in soils as a result of disposal of industrial effluents on soils. The values of all soil parameters in Kattedan industrial area were found higher than the control soil. Except clay, pH, and CEC, the values of all other parameters decreased with increasing depth in Kattedan industrial area soils. Fractionation study of micronutrients and heavy metals indicated relatively higher build up of Cd in easily bioavailable fractions, i.e. exchangeable and water soluble fractions, while all other elements resided mostly in residual fractions. The order of potential mobility and bioavailability of micronutrients and heavy metals was found different for different soils studied and non-significant correlation observed between different soil parameters and different fractions of micronutrients and heavy metals in Kattedan industrial area. The soils were contaminated and in most of the soils of Kattedan industrial area, except Fe, Mn and Co, all other metals were found within the permissible limits.