Abstracto

ANALYSIS OF PHYSICO-CHEMICAL AND HEAVY METAL CONCENTRATION IN SOIL OF BIJAPUR TALUKA, KARNATAKA

K. G. PUJAR, S. C. HIREMATH, A. S. PUJAR, U. S. PUJERI and M. S. YADAWE

Assessment of heavy metal content in soil samples from various localities of Bijapur taluka, Karnataka was undertaken. Top soil samples (0-10 cm) were taken at various locations. The soil characterization was carried out for parameters like pH, electrical conductivity, nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium and heavy metals like copper, iron, manganese, zinc etc. During study period, fluctuation in various parameters were recorded. This effect may be due to different uptake tendency of growing plants in the fields. The higher values are indicative of anthropogenic inputs, either due to excess application of fertilizers or to industrial or mining activities. The conclusion is that massive chemical analysis of farmland soil samples could serve as a database for indicating potential micronutrient deficiency and excess or heavy metal build-up in croplands, allowing preventive actions to be taken.