Impact of Cement Dust on Physico-chemical Properties of Soils around a Cement Factory in Bagalkot, Karnataka, India

Aims: To study the physicochemical properties of soil around the cement factory, to examine the effect of the industrial dust on the soil properties and to analyse the relation between the proportion of pollutants and the distance from the cement factory.

Study Design: Were used to analyse the relationship between soil samples at four different locations within the study area. Statistical methods such as; percentage, graph and Pearson correlation method.

Place and Duration of Study: For this study soil samples were collected around J k cement factory near Muddhapura of Mudhol Taluk of Bagalkot district in the pre monsoon period at four directions. Samples were analysed using titrant method, flame photometer method, oslen method to determine physicochemical properties. Pearson correlation method was used to analyse the relation between concentration of different elements in the soil samples and distances in four directions.

Results: From detailed analysis it was observed that there was increase in concentration of major elements, such as P, Ca, and Mg. However, there are some exceptions such as OC, N, S, Na, Zn, and Fe whose concentration in the soil samples increase with increase in distances in all directions. Since their correlation with distance is positive and significant since the P-value is less than 0.05.

Conclusion: In the present study, it has been established that the physicochemical properties of the soils around the factory have been changed due to the dust deposition as it is adversely affecting the composition soils. This in turn affected the concentration of nutrients required for plants growth. Furthermore, it may become hazardous to soil, flora and fauna.