Effect of Different Wastewaters on Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics in Soils of North Karnataka, India

Abstract

A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of bio-methanated distillery spentwash, paper mill, soft drink factory and domestic sewage wastewaters on carbon and nitrogen dynamics in red, lateritic, and black soils of north Karnataka. Application of wastewaters from different sources influenced the carbon and nitrogen fractions across treated soils. Water-soluble carbon, labile carbon and organic carbon were significantly higher in bio-methanated distillery spentwash-treated soils. Wide variations in nitrogen fractions NH 4 ? -N, NO 3 --N were recorded under the influence of different wastewaters across the treated soils. Irrespective of the soil types, content of organic carbon and nitrogen fractions followed the order bio-methanated distillery spentwash [ paper mill [ domestic wastewater C soft drink factory wastewater. Higher values of carbon and nitrogen fractions were observed in the surface layers (0-15 cm) in comparison with lower depths. Enumeration of the bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, N 2 -fixers and P-solubilizers indicated higher microbial load in bio-methanated spentwash application followed by paper mill wastewater application. Microbial load was highly concentrated in the surface layer (0-15 cm) across the soils and wastewaters evaluated. The bacterial count in treated soils was double that of fresh water-treated soils. Among the soils used in the study, maximum bacteria, actinomycetes and P-solubilizers count were recorded in black soil under the influence of the bio-methanated spentwash.

Forms and Distribution of Carbon in Soils of Dambal Sub-Watershed of Mundargi Taluk, Gadag District, Karnataka, India

“…20.22 per cent. Similar outcomes were also observed by Sharma et al, (2014) and Jogan et al, (2017).…”