Abstract

Heavy metals in the soil of 13 villages of Bathinda district, Punjab, India, were measured using wavelength dispersion X-ray fluorescence technique (WDXRF).  29 elements for which these samples were analyzed are  U, Th , ⁴⁰K, Pb, La, Ba, Cs, Ce,, Sn, Sb, As, Cr, Zn, Cu, Co, Sr, Zr, Sc, V, Ni, Rb, Mo,Ga, Nb, Y, Fe₂O_3, CaO, MnO and TiO₂ . Radioactive substances like U and Th are quite low. Alkaline elements like Ca, Ba, Sr are quite high and may be acting as catalysts to low level radioactive elements. As, Fe, Co, Ni, Zr, Cr, Zn too are probably due to proximity of a thermal power plant at Bathinda and use of pesticides and fungicides for plantation.