AbstractThe present study was conducted to assess the effect of cement dust pollution on Physico-chemical properties of soil around Khrew Industrial area of Kashmir. Three cement industries (Max, Arco and JK) were selected for the purpose and a total of one hundred composite soil samples were collected from different distances around the cement plants and analyzed. The results showed that soil pH ranged from 6.92-8.77, 6.90-8.75 and 6.95-8.80, with mean values of 8.10, 8.11 and 8.13 around Max, Arco and JK cement factories, respectively. The soils were slightly to moderately alkaline in nature. The average value of EC of soils was found to be 0.17, 0.17 and 0.19 dSm-1 at Max, Arco and JK cement industries respectively. The per cent organic carbon content of soils of Max, Arco and JK cement plants ranged from 0.22-1.22, 0.23-1.14 and 0.21-1.10, respectively. The average CaCO3 content of soils around Max, Arco and JK cement industries was 17.11, 17.17 and 17.20%, respectively. Cation exchange capacity of soils ranged from 13.88-17.00, 13.83-17.00 and 13.92-17.10 Cmol (P+) kg-1), around Max, Arco and JK cement factories, respectively. The organic carbon content was lower towards the polluted sites i.e., closer to cement plants, whereas, soil pH, EC, CaCO3 content and CEC showed an increasing trend towards the cement polluted sites. Cement industries were found to adversely affect the physico-chemical properties and nutrient status of the soil.
Rasheed et al. (Wed,) studied this question.