Effect of Wastewaters on Heavy Metals Concentration in Different Soils of North Karnataka

Abstract

Water scarcity and increase wastewater generation are twin problem associated which needs to be addressed to derive benefit for agricultural production. In this context laboratory study was conducted to characterize the wastewater from four different sources (Ugar sugar-Ugar khurd, West coast paper mill-Dandeli, Nectar beverages-Dharwad, Domestic sewage water-UAS campus Dharwad) in north Karnataka and were compared with freshwater. Spentwash from the Ugar Sugar Works distillery was singularly different from rest of the wastewaters and was characterized by its high pH, EC, TSS, TDS, BOD, COD, total nitrogen, phosphate, potassium and sulphate concentration. The effect of the wastewaters on the dominant soils of north Karnataka (Red, Lateritic and Black soil) were evaluated in column study during March-2014 to April-2015. Wide variation in water characteristics was recorded with wastewaters studied. The concentration of heavy metals increased in soils from 4 to 8 pore volumes application of various wastewaters. The highest lead concentration was observed in W 4 . The effect of different wastewaters in enhancing the lead concentration was highest in the black soil followed by red and then by lateritic soil. The concentration of chromium in spentwash treated soils at both 4 and 8 pore volumes passage was not only highest but singularly different from the rest.