41-Sediment analysis of the Hebbal Valley Lakes using scanning electron microscopy and energy Dispersive Spectroscopy

Abstract

The study examines the lake bed sediments of Hebbal Valley Lake. A rapid population increase accompanied by unplanned developmental works has led to the pollution of surface water, sediments of the lake and also ground water by residential, agricultural, commercial, industrial wastes or effluents. This has declined in the number of water bodies in the urban areas. The Energy Dispersive Spectroscope (EDS) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) is an advanced tool to characterize the sludge/sediments/soil samples. The EDS spectra reveal that the sediment contains predominant elements like Silica, Calcium, Aluminium, Iron, Potassium and Titanium, are present in the form of salts. The remaining portions may be carbonaceous and inert materials. From the results, it is evident that the lake sediments do not contain the toxic chemicals like Pb, Zn, Cd, Ni, Cu, Cr, and Mg and so sediments can be used as a compost along with the soil in the agricultural fields so that better yield is obtained. It can be concluded that sediment analysis of lake soil from Hebbal valley contains predominant elements and divide of toxic chemical and it can be used as soil supplement for growing crops for better yield.