Heavy Metals in Agricultural Soils of National Capital Region, Delhi: Levels and Ecological Risk

This study was conducted to assess heavy metals concentrations in agricultural soils the National Capital Region, Delhi. A total of 84 soil samples were collected from selected areas located near industries, national highways, state Yamuna floodplain, residential complexes, and wastewater irrigated soils. Heavy metal concentrations, pH, organic carbon (%) analyzed samples. The average value 7.79±0.49 0.53±0.17 percent respectively. Average (mg kg-1) found order Fe > Al Mn Zn Ni Cr Cu Pb Co Cd with as 14916.92, 13538.87, 277.16, 74.53, 35.34, 33.68, 22.94, 18.45, 1.88, 0.92 . Zn, Ni, reported present several times higher than their concentration Indian natural background significant potential ecological risk has been noticed nearly all except for nearby areas. contamination factor shown that most moderately contaminated Mn, Fe, some considerably strongly Pb, Cd, Ni. Wastewater showed a moderate strong degree accumulation