Nature Environment and Pollution Technology

R. Sunitha ¹, S. Mahimairaja ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Nano Science & Technology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University-TNAU, Coimbatore-641 003, T.N., IN
2 Department of Environmental Science, Agriculture College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore-641 003, T. N., IN

Abstract

Chromium, in the trivalent form (Cr III), is an important component of a balanced human and animal diet and its deficiency causes disturbance to the glucose and lipids metabolism in them. But the concentration above the permissible limit causes the crop failure and human health impacts. In contrast, hexavalent Cr (Cr VI) is highly toxic, carcinogen and may cause death in animals and humans if ingested in large doses. Recently, concern about Cr as an environmental pollutant has been escalating due to its buildup to toxic levels in the environment as a result of various industrial and agricultural activities. In our study, a reduction of chromium of about 87 per cent was recorded in sunflower field. At the same time reduction of only 33.8 per cent from the initial concentration of Cr in the surface soils under sunflower was observed due to the addition of organic amendments. Such reduction is attributed to the formation of either organo-chromic complexes (Immobilization) or chelates. Phytostabilization utilizes the plant production of compounds, which immobilize contaminants at the interface of ischolar_mains and soil, or ischolar_main and water. An example of this method is where ischolar_main exudates cause the precipitation of metals, reducing their bioavailability.

Keywords

Chromium, Bioremediation, Sunflower, Phytostabilization.

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P. Kalaiselvi ¹, S. Mahimairaja ²

Affiliations
1 Deptt. of Environmental Science, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Tapioca and Castor Research Station, Yethapur, Attur, P.G. Palayam-636 119, District Salem, T. N., IN
2 Department of Environmental Science, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, T. N., IN

Abstract

The biomethanated distillery spentwash is a nutrient rich liquid organic waste obtained from molasses based distillery industries after biomethanation process. The spentwash, being loaded with organic compounds could bring remarkable changes on the biological properties of soils and thus influences the fertility of soil significantly. The effect of different levels and methods of spentwash application on soil microbial activity was examined through a field experiment. The field experiment was conducted on groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) as a test crop at Research and Development Cane Farm, The Salem Co-operative Sugar Mills Ltd., Mohanur, Namakkal District. Application of distillery spentwash significantly increased the microbial population viz., bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes in soil. The application of spentwash at the rate of 120 m³/ha plus NP fertilizers recorded the highest microbial population. The continuous application of split doses was found to be better than one time application of spentwash in promoting the microbial activities.

Keywords

Distillery Spentwash, Organic Waste, Soil Fertility, Microbial Population.

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