Impact of cement industries dust on soil properties in Bhatapara,Chhattisgarh

Abstract

The present investigation was carried around cement industries at Bhatapara during 2017-18, to study the different soil properties as affected by the dust of cement Industries in Bhatapara Chhattisgarh. Two hundred fifty six composite soil samples were taken from around the cement industries i.e., from eight radiant wind directions viz., North, South, East, West, Northeast, Northwest, Southeast and Southwest in clockwise manner at the distances 0.5, 1, 2, and 3 km from the surface (0-15 cm) and sub-surface (15-30 cm) soil depths. Statistical analysis was done in 3-factors factorial designed experiment using CRD and the effect of cement dust on soil properties were also correlated with wind directions (X1), distances(X2) and soil depths (X3). Thephysico-properties of soils showed a significant increase in sand and silt in south-west and west wind directions. Significant increase in clay content was also observed in west and south-wind direction. An increase in pH, electrical conductivity and calcium carbonate content in soil (0-15 cm) soil up to 0.5 km distance in the southwest wind direction was also observed. Organic carbon content in soils also increased significantly with increase in distance at surface soilin the southwest wind direction.