Quality of ground water used for irrigation in Ujjain district of Madhya Pradesh, India.

The ground water samples collected from different tehsils of Ujjain district were analysed in the laboratory for electrical conductivity (EC), pH, cations (Na+, K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+) and anions (CO3(2-)), HCO3-, Cl- and SO4(2-)). The water samples were categorized as per criterion developed by Central Soil Salinity Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, India. Out of 712 samples, 105, 144, 150, 84, 68, 111 and 50 samples belong to Ujjain, Mahidpur, Khachrod, Tarana, Barnagar, Nagda and Ghatia tehsils of the district respectively. 80% samples indicated good water quality at the district as a whole, whereas 14% were found saline (marginally saline (B1)-9%, saline (B2)-4%, high SAR saline (B3)-1%) and 6% as alkali (marginally alkali (C1)-5%, and alkali (C2)-1%) categories. In general, these waters were of Ca-Na-Mg type with the dominance of Cl followed by HCO3 and CO3 in case of good quality waters. The poor water quality belonged to categories of B1, B2, B3, C1 and C2, which were either having accumulation of salts (high EC) or high sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) and residual sodium carbonate (RSC). High significant negative correlation coefficient between pH and SO4-- was observed. The sodium (Na+) content showed significant positive correlation coefficient with EC. Similarly, HCO3- showed a significant positive correlation with RSC content. The ground water quality map of the district was generated using ERDAS-IMAGINE 8.7 Software showing different categories.

Heavy metals accumulation in soils irrigated by municipal and industrial effluent.

Four soil profiles have been exposed in municipal, industrial effluents and municipal wastes mixed with industrial wastes (mixed effluent) and tube well irrigated areas of Indore district of Madhya Pradesh. Soil samples were collected horizon wise and analyzed for pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic carbon, CaCO3, clay content, cation exchange capacity (CEC), exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) and heavy metals content viz. Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Cd, Cr, Co and Pb. Results showed all the heavy metals content decreased with increase in depth of soil profile. Municipal wastes / untreated sewage affected soil of Bhangarh village depicted highest content of heavy metals. The order of percentage availability of different heavy metals irrespective of the sources of irrigation is Pb>Co>Cr>Cd. However, continuous application of sewage indicated higher accumulation of heavy metals although the rate of accumulation was faster in case of industrial effluent within 2 years of irrigation. Organic carbon content had significant positive correlation with heavy metals except Cu and Zn, and negative correlation with pH and CaCO3. ESP had a negative correlation with all the metals. Zn, Mn, Cd and Co indicated significant negative correlation with the CEC of the soil. Inter-metallic correlation indicates a significant positive correlation in between Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn, Co, and Pb and among themselves.