Changes in salinity and sodicity of soils with continuous application of contaminated water near industrial area

A study was conducted on farmers' fields to investigate the impact of polluted irrigation water on soil salinity/sodicity parameters at root zone depth. In Ratlam area, the groundwater has been polluted with salts due to contamination with percolating industrial effluent used for irrigation to winter crops. In Nagda, water of Chambal river was severely polluted with effluents mainly from a textile industry. Marked increases in salinity as well as sodicity in irrigated soils were observed, magnitude being much more in the soils irrigated with polluted river water at Nagda. Increase in Na⁺, Cl⁻, SO₄²⁻ and HCO₃⁻ and decrease in K⁺ and NO₃⁻ concentrations in the soil solution were also observed in the soils of Ratlam. Rainfall during June to October resulted in decrease in EC, SAR, ESP as well as concentrations of Na⁺, Cl⁻ and SO₄²⁻ in soils irrigated with polluted water in both areas.