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P-ISSN: 2349-8528, E-ISSN: 2321-4902   |   Impact Factor: GIF: 0.565

Vol. 8, Special Issue 5 (2020)

Characterization of sugar factory effluents from different factories of north coastal Andhra Pradesh, India and its effect on soil properties


Author(s): T Sreelatha, Ch S Rama Lakshmi and A Sireesha

Abstract: Sugarcane is important sugar crop which is accounting for approximately 80 percent of world sugar production. Sugarcane is one of the important agro industrial crops of commercial importance grown in North Coastal Andhra Pradesh, India. During processing of cane, sugar mills will discharge huge amounts of wastewater as large quantities of water is utilized in sugar mills. However, water resources are limited and a wide gap exists between available water supply and the amount of water required for intensive cropping, appropriate use of industrial effluents may be helpful in meeting a part of the increased water demand. No systematic study has been carried out so far to assess the relative heavy metals availability in soils irrigated with effluent waters. Therefore, a study was undertaken to survey both surface and subsurface soils irrigated with effluent waters for availability of heavy metals and also to assess the contents of the pollutant elements in sugar industrial effluents at the point of source. Survey of effluents and irrigation waters for their quality (heavy metal, RSC, SAR, pH and EC) with special reference to sugarcane cultivation in different factory zones of North Coastal Zone was carried out during 2011-12 and 2012-13.Effluents samples were collected from all the five existing sugar factory areas of North Coastal Andhra Pradesh viz., M/s Thummapala Cooperative sugar factory, Anakapalle, M/s Etikoppaka Cooperative sugar factory, Darlapudi and M/s Govada Cooperative sugar factory, Chodavaram of Visakhaptanm district; M/s GMR Sugar factory, Sankili of Srikakulam district and M/s NCS sugars, Bobbili of Vizianagaram district. Results revealed that all sugar factory effluents are highly acidic with the pH values varying from 4.32 (M/s Govada Cooperative sugar factory, Chodavaram) to 5.50 (M/s Etikoppaka Cooperative sugar factory, Darlapudi). However after effluent treatment, the pH values in all the factory areas were reached to safer limits. Concentrations of magnesium, calcium, sodium and sodium absorption ratios are within the limits in all the factory effluents. Heavy metals viz., cadmium and lead also not recorded in factory effluents, whereas cobalt, nickel and chromium are found in traces. Hence, effluents from all the sugar factories can be used safely for irrigation with respect to concentration of heavy metals in the sugar factory effluents. Data on soil analysis results revealed that, effluent irrigated soils are neutral in reaction with non-saline in conductivity. Mean organic carbon content pertaining to all the five factory soils was medium in range. Hence, it is found safe to irrigate soils with treated sugar factory effluents as of soil physico-chemical and chemical properties are at permissible limits and for sugarcane cultivation.

DOI: 10.22271/chemi.2020.v8.i5a.10367

Pages: 36-41  |  852 Views  122 Downloads

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How to cite this article:
T Sreelatha, Ch S Rama Lakshmi and A Sireesha. Characterization of sugar factory effluents from different factories of north coastal Andhra Pradesh, India and its effect on soil properties. International Journal of Chemical Studies. 2020; 8(5): 36-41. DOI: 10.22271/chemi.2020.v8.i5a.10367
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