D K Banerjee

Publications of D K Banerjee

• Multivariate statistical analysis of heavy metals in soils of a Pb-Zn mining area, India.

  Authors: M Anju, D K Banerjee

  Environmental monitoring and assessment. 08/2011;

  Surface soil samples collected from a Pb and Zn mining area in India were subjected to multi-elemental analysis by using inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry. MultivariateSurface soil samples collected from a Pb and Zn mining area in India were subjected to multi-elemental analysis by using inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry. Multivariate statistical methods such as principal component analysis and cluster analysis, coupled with correlation coefficient analysis, were used to analyze the data and to apportion the possible sources of elements in soils of a metal mining area. Soils in this area have elevated heavy metal concentrations especially Pb, Zn, Mn, Cu, As, and Tl. Using principal component (PC) analysis, six components were extracted, out of which two PCs explaining 50.12% of total variance are more important. The first principal component with a high contribution of Ag, As, Be, Cd, Co, Cu, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn was deemed to be technogenic/anthropogenic component, and the second principal component, with high loadings for the five discerning variables (Al, Be, Cr, K, Li), was considered as lithogenic component. The third component having strong loadings of Ba, Ca, K, and Na is supposed to have a mixed origin (lithogenic as well as technogenic). Electrical conductivity and total organic matter were not correlated with any element and also have a strong loading in the fifth component which is probably the biomass and ions present in these soils. The findings of the principal component analysis were also substantiated by the cluster analysis. The present study would not only enhance our knowledge regarding the soil pollution status in the study area but would also provide us information to manage the sources of these elements in the study area.

• Associations of cadmium, zinc, and lead in soils from a lead and zinc mining area as studied by single and sequential extractions.

  Authors: M Anju, D K Banerjee

  Environmental monitoring and assessment. 05/2011; 176(1-4):67-85.

  An exploratory study of the area surrounding a historical Pb-Zn mining and smelting area in Zawar, India, detected significant contamination of the terrestrial environment by heavy metals. SoilsAn exploratory study of the area surrounding a historical Pb-Zn mining and smelting area in Zawar, India, detected significant contamination of the terrestrial environment by heavy metals. Soils (n=87) were analyzed for pH, EC, total organic matter (TOM), Pb, Zn, Mn, and Cd levels. The statistical analysis indicated that the frequency distribution of the analyzed parameters for these soils was not normal. The median concentrations of metals in surface soils were: Pb 420.21 μ g/g, Zn 870.25 μ g/g, Mn 696.70 μ g/g, and Cd 2.09 μ g/g. Zn concentrations were significantly correlated with Cd (r=0.867), indicating that levels of Cd are dependent on Zn. However, pH, electrical conductivity and total organic matter were not correlated significantly with Cd, Pb, Zn, and Mn. To assess the potential mobility of Cd, Pb, and Zn in soils, single (EDTA) as well as sequential extraction scheme (modified BCR) were applied to representative (n=23) soil samples. The amount of Cd, Pb, and Zn extracted by EDTA and their total concentrations showed linear positive correlation, which are statistically significant (r values for Cd, Pb, and Zn being 0.901, 0.971, and 0.795, respectively, and P values being <0.001). The correlation coefficients indicate a strong relation between EDTA-extractable metal and total metal. These results appear to justify the use of 'total' metal contents as a useful preliminary indicator of areas where the risks of metal excess or deficiency are high. The EDTA extractability was maximum for Cd followed by Pb and Zn in soils from all the locations. As indicated by single extraction, the apparent mobility and potential bioavailability of metals in soils followed the order: Cd ≥ Pb > > Zn. Soil samples were sequentially extracted (modified BCR) so that solid pools of Cd, Zn, and Pb could be partitioned into four operationally defined fractions viz. acid-soluble, reducible, oxidizable, and residual. Cadmium was present appreciably (39.41%) in the acid-soluble fraction and zinc was predominantly associated (32.42%) with residual fraction. Pb (66.86%) and Zn (30.44%) were present mainly in the reducible fraction. Assuming that the mobility and bioavailability are related to solubility of geochemical forms of metals and decrease in the order of extraction, the apparent mobility and potential metal bioavailability for these contaminated soil samples is Cd > Zn > Pb.

• Comparison of two sequential extraction procedures for heavy metal partitioning in mine tailings.

  Authors: M Anju, D K Banerjee

  Chemosphere. 03/2010; 78(11):1393-402.

  This study aimed at elucidating the fractionation of Cd, Zn and Pb in mine tailings and evaluating the extraction selectivity of different extractants--and thus the efficiency of two sequentialThis study aimed at elucidating the fractionation of Cd, Zn and Pb in mine tailings and evaluating the extraction selectivity of different extractants--and thus the efficiency of two sequential extraction procedures. For the purpose of figuring out the applicability of different sequential extraction procedures (SEP's) in Cd, Zn and Pb fractionation in mine tailings, two SEP's (i) modified BCR and (ii) Tessier's scheme were applied to mine tailings (new as well as old). To compare the results obtained by two methods having different number of fractions (four and five respectively), the fractions were rearranged into four "equivalent fractions" defined as acid soluble, reducible, oxidisable and residual. Systematic variations in the "reducible" fraction, i.e. the content of metal in the reducible fractions obtained by Tessier's procedure were, in general, higher than those obtained by BCR scheme. This may be attributed to stronger conditions used in Tessier's scheme to extract this fraction. This shows that the fractions are only empirically (operationally) defined and are not totally exclusive to the specified mineral phase. Percentages of Cd, Zn and Pb extracted in the organic fraction by modified BCR scheme were always higher than those obtained by Tessier's scheme. Based on the fractionation results by both the schemes, it appears that as compared to Cd and Zn, Pb has lower extraction yield in old tailings as compared to new tailings in organic/sulphides bound fraction. This can be explained by the formation of secondary Pb minerals of low solubility, formed by the oxidation of sulphides in old tailings as a result of weathering. Speciation data indicate that Cd has the greatest affinity in the acid soluble fraction, Pb is associated with the reducible fraction and Zn is incorporated into the residual fraction (crystalline silicate matrices) irrespective of the solid matrix type. The metal associations in the oxidizable fraction appear to be matrix specific, i.e., Zn dominates this fraction in new tailings and Pb in old tailings.

• Heavy metal uptake and its effect on macronutrients, chlorophyll, protein, and peroxidase activity of Paspalum distichum grown on sludge-dosed soils. Heavy metal uptake and its effect on P. distichum.

  Authors: Tanushree Bhattacharya, S. Chakraborty, D.K. Banerjee

  Environmental Monitoring and Assessment. 01/2010; 169:15-26.

  This study assessed the heavy metal (Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Pb) uptake and its effect on biochemical parameters in Paspalum distichum, a wetland plant. Sludge collected from Bhalswa waste dump, NewThis study assessed the heavy metal (Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Pb) uptake and its effect on biochemical parameters in Paspalum distichum, a wetland plant. Sludge collected from Bhalswa waste dump, New Delhi, was used as heavy metal source and dosed in different proportions viz. 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80% to the garden soil. The plants accumulated metals mostly in belowground organs. The metal accumulation followed the order: Cr>Mn>Cu>Zn>Ni>Pb. The range of heavy metal concentration in tissue of belowground organs after 180 days of growth was 1,778.65-4,288.01 ppm Cr, 828.11-1,360 ppm Mn, 236.52-330.07 ppm Ni, 155.79-282.35 ppm Cu, 27.05-91.16 ppm Zn, and 27.09-50.87 ppm Pb. The biochemical parameters viz. chlorophyll and protein contents and peroxidase (POD) activity exhibited no considerable adverse effect indicating the plants' tolerance towards heavy metals. The high POD activity and synthesis of new protein bands at high sludge-dosed plants were also in support of this fact.

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• Heavy metal uptake by Scirpus Littoralis Schrad. from fly ash dosed and metal spiked soils.

  Authors: Tanushree Bhattacharya, D K Banerjee, Brij Gopal

  Environmental monitoring and assessment. 11/2006; 121(1-3):363-80.

  Scirpus littoralis is a wetland plant commonly found in Yamuna flood plains of Delhi, India. The ability of Scirpus littoralis to take up and translocate five metals- Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn and Pb from flyScirpus littoralis is a wetland plant commonly found in Yamuna flood plains of Delhi, India. The ability of Scirpus littoralis to take up and translocate five metals- Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn and Pb from fly ash dosed and metal spiked soils were studied under waterlogged and field conditions for 90 days. Scirpus littoralis accumulated Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn and Pb upto a maximum of 494.92, 56.37, 144.98, 207.95 and 93.08 ppm dry wt., respectively in below ground organs (BO) in 90 days time. The metal content ratios BO/soil (B/S) were higher than shoot/soil ratios (T/S) for all the metals, the highest being for Ni. Metal ratios BO/water (B/W) were also higher than shoot/water (T/W) ratios but the B/W ratio was maximum for Zn. The changes in nutrient status (N, P) in soil water and plants were also studied at interval of 30 days. The Pearson's correlation between metal uptake and N, P uptake were calculated. All the metals except Ni showed negative correlation with nitrogen but they were all non-significant. However, P uptake showed positive correlations with all the metals and all were significant at 1% confidence limit.

• Comparison of two sequential extraction procedures for heavy metal partitioning in mine tailings

  Authors: M. Anju, D.K. Banerjee

  Chemosphere.

  This study aimed at elucidating the fractionation of Cd, Zn and Pb in mine tailings and evaluating the extraction selectivity of different extractants – and thus the efficiency of two sequentialThis study aimed at elucidating the fractionation of Cd, Zn and Pb in mine tailings and evaluating the extraction selectivity of different extractants – and thus the efficiency of two sequential extraction procedures. For the purpose of figuring out the applicability of different sequential extraction procedures (SEP’s) in Cd, Zn and Pb fractionation in mine tailings, two SEP’s (i) modified BCR and (ii) Tessier’s scheme were applied to mine tailings (new as well as old). To compare the results obtained by two methods having different number of fractions (four and five respectively), the fractions were rearranged into four “equivalent fractions” defined as acid soluble, reducible, oxidisable and residual. Systematic variations in the “reducible” fraction, i.e. the content of metal in the reducible fractions obtained by Tessier’s procedure were, in general, higher than those obtained by BCR scheme. This may be attributed to stronger conditions used in Tessier’s scheme to extract this fraction. This shows that the fractions are only empirically (operationally) defined and are not totally exclusive to the specified mineral phase. Percentages of Cd, Zn and Pb extracted in the organic fraction by modified BCR scheme were always higher than those obtained by Tessier’s scheme. Based on the fractionation results by both the schemes, it appears that as compared to Cd and Zn, Pb has lower extraction yield in old tailings as compared to new tailings in organic/sulphides bound fraction. This can be explained by the formation of secondary Pb minerals of low solubility, formed by the oxidation of sulphides in old tailings as a result of weathering. Speciation data indicate that Cd has the greatest affinity in the acid soluble fraction, Pb is associated with the reducible fraction and Zn is incorporated into the residual fraction (crystalline silicate matrices) irrespective of the solid matrix type. The metal associations in the oxidizable fraction appear to be matrix specific, i.e., Zn dominates this fraction in new tailings and Pb in old tailings.