Geo-statistical assessment of soil quality and identification of Heavy metal contamination using Integrated GIS and Multivariate statistical analysis in Industrial region of Western India

Soil systems are one of the most dynamic natural systems, interlinking several crucial life sustaining processes on Earth. Soil quality is degrading faster than ever, and industrial activities can be attributed as prime contributors to it. The Bagru textile Printing and Dying industrial region in Rajasthan, (India) is integral to its economy. However, the continuous discharge of effluents is slowly degrading the quality of soil and water to support life and agricultural systems. The current research aims to examine the existing quality of soil in the Bagru region of Rajasthan. A Comprehensive quantitative soil quality evaluation has been attempted based on Minimum set of interlinked biophysical and Chemical parameters in an Integrated GIS environment, applying Multivariate Statistical methods: PCA, CCM, CA, FA. PCs with eigenvalue >1.0 following Kaiser, subjected to varimax rotation were kept accounting for 77.889% of the total variance of the data, and has high loading on Mn and S. A higher average Concentration of elements like Potash (K = 325.6000 kg/ha, R2=0.1844.), Phosphorous (P = 28.3243 mg kg−1, R2=0.0125), Sulphur (S = 20.3130 mg kg−1, R2=0.0544) was recorded along with pH >8, (alkaline soils). The results also indicate higher concentration of heavy metal contamination around the Industrial complex with their average values in order: Iron (Fe 5.9782 mg kg −1), >Manganese (Mn 4.2093 mg kg −1), >Zinc (Zn 3.4509 mg kg −1) >Copper (Cu 0.1701mg kg −1). The overall result reveal 46% of degraded and low-quality soil with Average SQI value of 0.482 in the region.