K.V. SASTRY, VINEETA SHUKLA, SHARDA ABUSARIA AND PANKAJ GILL
Abstract
The present communication deals with the impact of bicycle manufacturing industry effluents on soil in Sonepat, India. The effluent containing chromium (3.67 mg/L), nickel (4.13 mg/L), cyanide (1.95 mg/L), and oil and grease (36.28 mg/L) exerts remarkable influence on soil quality of nearby areas. Physico-chemical and biological characteristics of effluents affected soils were analysed and compared with unaffected soil. The effluents altered soil colour, moisture content, electrical conductivity, organic carbon percentage and available potassium and phosphorus. Concentration of chromium and nickel (exceeded permissible limits) and was many fold higher in affected soils than effluents. Presence of cyanide was recorded in effluents affected soils. The chemical changes decreased the microbial population in the affected soils.