Impact of tannery effluent on physical properties of soils of Dindigul district of Tamil Nadu state

Abstract

Industrial activities are one of the major sources of soil, water and air pollution in India Tanning industry is a potential polluting industry of considerable threat to the environment. The continuous application of tannery effluent to the soil alter the physical properties of soil. This study was focused to determine the effect of tannery effluent on physical parameters of soil such as bulk density, particle density, pore space and water holding capacity). Soil samples were collected near discharge sites of tanneries in Dindigul district, Tamil Nadu. Bulk density of soil varies from 1.37 (Mg m-3) in 0-15cm to 1.27(Mg m-3) in 15-30 cm. Bulk density of soil decreases with increasing depth. Particle density of soil remain unchanged in most of the soil. Pore space (%) of soil decreases with depth (59.09 % for 0-15cm and 53.47% for 15-30cm). Water holding capacity increases with depth (35.53% for 0-15 cm and 40. 23% for 15- 30 cm). The results indicated that due discharge of tannery effluent to soil on long run will affect physical properties of soil.