International Journal of Science, Engineering and TechnologyAuthors: Dr Amit Kumar Awasthi
Abstract: Unnao district in Uttar Pradesh, India, located along the Ganga Plain, has emerged as a critical region for heavy metal contamination due to intensive industrial activity, particularly leather processing. This research paper examines the ecotoxicological pathways and trophic transfer of heavy metals specifically Chromium (Cr), Cadmium (Cd), Lead (Pb), Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), Manganese (Mn), and Iron (Fe) from polluted irrigation water sources through agricultural soils and ultimately to food crops and animal feed consumed by local populations. The paper synthesizes findings from multiple studies conducted between 2010 and 2026, including soil, groundwater, and crop analyses across eight sites in Unnao. Results indicate that heavy metal concentrations in agricultural soils significantly exceed baseline values, with Pb ranging from 382.70 to 500.40 mg/kg and Cd from 79.60 to 293.80 mg/kg. This study provides a novel synthesis of zoological and ecotoxicological principles—specifically bioaccumulation, biomagnification, and species-specific susceptibility—to explain contamination patterns. Groundwater analysis reveals elevated Cr levels reaching 7.08 ± 1.42 mg/L in industrial-adjacent areas. Multivariate statistical analysis identifies cadmium, copper, lead, nickel, and zinc as anthropogenically sourced, primarily from tannery effluents and industrial discharge. The paper details the severe health consequences of this exposure, linking specific metals to cancers, cardiovascular disease, renal failure, and neurodevelopmental disorders in humans, as well as reproductive and physiological damage in livestock and wildlife. It concludes with policy recommendations for remediation, monitoring, and public health intervention based on a One Health approach.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20393111
