Environmental Friendly Approach for the Optimization of Physicochemical Properties of Soil using Sewage Sludge

Abstract

Use of synthetic fertilizers for nourishment of soil and better growth of crops has become massive now a days. In addition to benefits associated with synthetic fertilizer, researchers have reported some negative impacts of fertilizers on soil as well as on ecosystem. In the current study, soil has been amended with different proportion of sewage sludge (S. S.) to enhance its physico-chemical characteristics. Soil properties were found to be significantly affected by mixing with different proportions (20, 40, 60 and 80%) of sewage sludge. Soil fertility was found to be enhanced as organic matter; nitrogen content, phosphorus and potassium content proportionally with the addition of sewage sludge in soil. Significant changes were also been observed in terms of pH and electrical conductivity of the soil. Soil texture, morphological studies and elemental analysis were also done by the utilization of SEM and elemental analyzer and it was found that the soil mixed with 40 to 60% sludge may be best for the cultivation of plants. Heavy metal (Cr, Pb, Zn, Ni, Fe, Cu) content were also measured and it was found that the pure sludge contained higher concentration of heavy metals above threshold value. Hence, sewage sludge mixing should be optimized to achieve promising attributes in the soil. After studying correlation coefficient and comparative analysis we can suggest that the soil amended with 40 to 60% sewage sludge is useful and environmental friendly option for the disposal of sewage sludge.