Pulp and Paper Industrial Discharges on Soil Environs in Crop Nutrients’ Management

Abstract

Pulp and paper industry is considered as one of the major industries contributing to the economic growth of our country. However, nowadays they are also identified as the industry discharging heavy volumes of pollutants into water bodies and soil environment. These industries generate varieties of contaminants depending upon the manufacturing process. Especially, disposal of these industrial wastes to water streams and land sources remains a critical concern pertaining to the localities in their vicinity, wherein the aforesaid resources are vital for the healthy farming practices. The present work emphasizes on the study of affected agricultural soil structures in Sathyamangalam area, contaminated by the release of excess heavy metals from pulp and paper industrial effluents. Four soil samples were collected at specific seasons throughout the year (February to March, June to July, September to October and November to December) and estimated for the nutrients’ levels as per the standard quality procedures, in order to assess the growth impact of seasonal crops cultivated. Dissimilarities in the uptake of primary and secondary nutrients were observed in the soil samples, there as on being low and high nutrient availabilities (against prescribed Indian Agricultural Standards for crop development) in Rabi and Kharif seasons, which shall be attributed to the rainfall, in turn promoting toxic leachates into the soil. The soil performances due to the percolation of industrial discharges reflected in the complexities of crop yields.