The vertical and horizontal distribution of DTPA extractable metals due to continuous application of sewage was studied in soils of sewage farms at Avaniyapuram (Madurai South), Sakkimangalam (Madurai North) and Ukkadam (Coimbatore). The DTPA -extractable Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn, Co, Cd, Cr, Pb and Ni accumulated more in the surface soil and decreased with increasing soil depth and distance from the sewage entry point. The vertical movement of extractable metals was more in light textured soils of Avaniyapuram and Sakkimangalam than in the heavy textured soils of Ukkadam. But the reverse was true in the lateral or horizontal movement of extractable metals. The soil texture and location of the sewage farms played a major role in distribution pattern of the metals in the soils of different sewage farms. The duration of sewage irrigation did not have major effect.
DTPA extractable metals, distribution pattern, sewage farms
