Impact of brass and electroplating industry effluent on some physicochemical and biological properties of soil

Abstract

A field study was conducted at three sites (S1-S3) of 500m longitudinal transect along the drain, where soil was irrigated by toxic metal rich brass and electroplating industrial effluent in suburban area of Moradabad, India. Spatial and seasonal variations of total heavy metal content in soil and their effect on physico-chemical and biological properties were studied in soil samples taken from 0-25, 25-50 and 50-75 cm soil depth. Except pH, all parameters were maximum in summer in surface soil at each site. Total metal content decreased with increasing distance from the effluent course. Physico-chemical values (pH, EC, Corg, available N etc.) were found minimum at S1 and maximum at S3. Significant inhibition of microbial biomass C and N, respiration, dehydrogenase activity and microbial coefficient occurred in soils highly contaminated by heavy metals. There was a significant decrease in Cmic/Nmic ratio and an increase in metabolic quotient (qCO₂) with increasing metal concentration.