CHAPTER 7

EFFECTS OF SOAP MANUFACTURING FACTORY EFFLUENT

ON SOIL AND CROP PLANTS

 222

CHAPTER 7

EFFECTS OF SOAP MANUFACTURING FACTORY EFFLUENT

ON SOIL AND CROP PLANTS

7.1 Introduction
By 'detergent1, we mean any substance possessing
considerable cleansing properties. The soaps are the oldest
detergents being used even today for the cleansing purposes.
The soaps are strictly any metallic salts of the higher
fatty acids but in common parlance the term is restricted
to the water soluble sodium and potassium salts. The sodium
salts ('hard' soaps) and potassium salts ('soft1 soaps) are
prepared by the saponification of fats with boiling solu-
tions of caustic soda and caustic potash, respectively. In
addition to the water soluble sodium and potassium soaps,
there are also the water insoluble soaps of such metals as
calcium, iron, aluminium, manganese and zinc. Many of these
metallic soaps are used in different industries. For ins-
tance, aluminium, zinc and lead soaps are used in the manu-
facture of lubricants and greases and manganese, lead and
cobalt soaps in the manufacture of paints and varnishes
(Klein, 1957).

The discharges from the soap manufacturing factories

include unsaponified materials, residues of the saponified
 223

matter and washings of the vessels and also spills of the

oils and caustic solution. The wastes may also contain
considerable amounts of soaps and detergents, which on
finding their way into the streams, may cause considerable
effects on the water quality and create stress on the aqua-
tic life.

The soaps and the detergents are known to cause

foam in the water-bodies to which they are discharged. The
production of foam is a physical phenomenon which is due
to the lowering of the surface tension of water by the
detergents (Bowers, 1952). Roberts (1954) has stated that
1 ppm or even less concentration of the detergents can cause
froth on rivers. Apart from the aesthetic objection to
froth, there does not seem to be any evidence of any marked
harmful effect. Nevertheless, the froth at a sewage works
does collect a certain amount of oil and grease which may
possibly harbour pathogenic organisms. Donaldson (1952)
stated that foam from the final effluent of an activated
sludge plant in the U.S.A. contained 30-50$ of the greasy
matter.

The action of detergent and soap effluents on the

transfer and dissolution of oxygen has been studied by
several workers (Godwy, 1953; Manganelli, 1952; Lynch,
1954). According to Gameson et al. (1955) the presence of
 224

detergents and soaps can reduce reaeration by 40 per cent.

Downing et al. (1957) have investigated the actions of
various substances, including detergents, on the rate of
dissolution of oxygen in water contained in a tank. The
detergents and soaps lead to a reduction in the coefficients
of exchange in pure water. A possible explanation of this
action of the detergents and soaps is that a protective
surface film which is formed due to its effect, is an obs-
tacle to the renewal of the oxygen dissolved at the air-
water interface (Baars, 1955).

_1
Van Beneden (1952) has stated that 120 mg 1 of
detergents is likely to prevent the development and growth
of algae. The water plants can be adversely affected by
detergents. Evans and Roberts (1955) have shown that the
rooted plants Ranunculus aquatilis, Potamogeton pectinatus
and Potamogeton densus were unable to grow in 2.5 ppm of

the detergent.

Of the three locations for the disposal of industrial

wastes surface water, atmosphere and land, the land repre-
sents not only an appropriate disposal site for many indus-
trial wastes but also an opportunity to manage these wastes
with minimum adverse environmental effects. The application
of manure, sewage sludge and municipal wastewater on land
for both disposal and fertilizer value has been practised
 225

for centuries. The challange is, however, to utilize the

chemical, physical and biological properties of the soil
as an acceptor for the industrial wastes with minimum
undesireable effects to the crops grown to that soil,
characteristics of the soil and to the quality of ground
water and surface runoff. The soils are also considered to
be efficient purifying media as suggested by Robeck et al.
(1963), Bouwer (1970) and Young et al. (1975).

Thabaraj et al. (1964) have observed the effects of

tannery effluent on the soil composition and germination of
tomato seeds in soil and sand culture. The germination was
badly affected with undiluted and unsedimented effluent
while best germination was noted with diluted effluent
treated through the trickling filters.

Pearson (1972) has studied the suitability of the

food processing wastewater for irrigation of various crops.
He found it suitable for irrigation under most of the con-
ditions.

The application of citrus processing wastewaters to

Florida soils proved detrimental in a study carried out by
Coleman et al. (1979). The hydroxides of sodium, potassium
and calcium in the wastewater affected seriously the per-
meability of the fine sand used.
 226

The e f f e c t s of s y n t h e t i c detergent effluent on the

germination o f . b r i n j a l seeds was studied "by Kale (1966).
He found t h a t the r o o t / h y p o c o t y l r a t i o v a l u e s decreased
with the a d d i t i o n of t h e detergent solution.

Judy and Kroontje (1971) have observed e f f e c t s of

s y n t h e t i c household d e t e r g e n t s contained i n the wastewater
on t h e s o i l c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s and the growth of corn.

The present chapter d e a l s with the physico-chemical

analyses of a soap-factory effluent (a u n i t of Prag Oil
Mills, Aligarh). The e f f e c t s of four d i f f e r e n t concentra-
t i o n s (10C$, 75#, 50$ and 25#) of the effluent on c e r t a i n
chemical c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s of s o i l , seed germination p a t t e r n
and growth of two important crop p l a n t s (kidney "bean and
tomato) have also been studied i n order to find i t s s u i t a -
b i l i t y for d i s p o s a l on a g r i c u l t u r a l land.

7.2 The Factory

The Prag Oil Mill is situated in Aligarh, Uttar
Pradesh. The factory manufactures vegetable oils and wash-
ing soap. The main sources of the wastewaters of the fac-
tory are from the soap manufacturing unit. Usually the
rice bran oil is used for manufacturing soap. The oil is
treated with caustic lye solution (solution of sodium hydro-
xide) which results in the formation of soap. The soap
 227

factory effluent consists of unsaponified and residual

matter, spills of oil and caustic solution and washings
of the vessels used for saponification.

7.3 Experimental

7.3.1 Collection and analyses of the effluent samples:

The effluent of the soap factory was collected at the

outlets of the factory and sufficient quantities of the eff-
luent were stored in the laboratory. The effluent was
analysed physico-chemically for colour, pH, turbidity,
total solids, dissolved solids, suspended solids, dissolved
oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) , chemical oxygen
demand (COD), ammonia-nitrogen, chlorides, sulphates, phos-
phorus, potassium, chlorine, bromine, iodine, total alkali-
nity, hardness, sodium and heavy metals - chromium, copper,
and manganese. The methods employed for the determination
of these parameters were according to the Standard Methods
(1975).

7.3.2 Collection and analyses of the soil samples;

The soil samples were collected from the fields near

the Aligarh Muslim University. The soil was ground, mixed
thoroughly and passed through an 80 mesh sieve and analysed
for pH, electrical conductivity, water-soluble salts,
organic matter, calcium carbonate, ammonia-nitrogen
 228

phosphorus and potassium contents using the Standard Methods

described earlier (Chapter 2) whereas the sodium content of
the soil was determined by Flame Photometer (Systronics
(India) Ltd.).

7.3.3 Preparation and irrigation of the soil samples;

One kg of the ground soil was placed in each of the
several earthenware pots having a diameter of 15 cm. Kidney
bean (Phaseolus aureus) and tomato (Ly coper si cum esculentum)
seeds were sown in each pot after surface sterilization.
The pots were irrigated daily for seven weeks with 150 ml
of 100$, 75$, 50$, 25$ and 0$ (control) concentrations of
the soap factory effluent. One set of the earthenware pots
was kept without seeds for each concentration of the eff-
luent in order to monitor its effects on the soil alone.
Each treatment was replicated five times. After seven
weeks of irrigation the changes in the soil characteristics
were determined using the procedures described in Chapter 2.
The growths of the two crop plants, irrigated with various
concentrations of the effluent, were also monitored. At the
end of the experiments the shoot and root lengths of the
plants were measured. The number of leaves per plant was
also counted.

7.4 Results and Discussion

The physico-chemical characteristics of the soap
 229

factory effluent have been presented in Table 7.1. The

effluent was greyish in colour and highly alkaline in nature
(pH 9.2). The dissolved oxygen content was found to be nil
whereas the biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical
oxygen demand (COD) were considerably high. Considerable
concentrations of chlorides, sulpahtes and sodium contents
were found in the effluent. Accordirg to Mehlich (1955)
sodium probably plays a role in regulating the physico-
chemical processes of cell colloidal system of the plants
that are able to absorb this element. Some crops are bene-
fitted by the additions of sodium when available potassium
is insufficient (Miller, 1955). Excessive concentrations of
chlorides in the plants may prove toxic with the result that
the plant would exhibit injury symptoms like scorching or
burning of the leaves (Wadleigh et al, 1951). Though sul-
phates are less toxic than chlorides (Seatz et al., 1958),
their accumulation in the soil may lead to increased osmotic
pressure of the soil solution. Brown et al. (1953) have
stated that by promoting uptake of sodium, sulphate may
induce sodium toxicity in the susceptible species. Pota-
ssium, phosphorus and ammonia-nitrogen were present in the
effluent in small concentrations. High values of the sus-
pended and dissolved solids were obtained in the effluent
whereas chlorine, bromine, iodine and metals chromium,
copper and manganese were found to be absent (Table 7.1).
 230

The effects of the soap factory effluent in various

concentrations, viz. 100$, 75$, 50$, 25$ and 0$ on the chemi-
cal characteristics of the pot soils with the analyses of
the original soil are presented in Table 7.2. The soil used
for the studies had pH 8.45, electrical conductivity 830.0
-1 -1
micromhos cm , water soluble s a l t s 68.34 meq kg , organic
matter 0.23$, calcium carbonate 0.70$, ammonia-nitrogen
-1 -1
0.025$, sodium 19.70 mg kg , phosphorus 367.0 mg kg and
potassium 165.0 mg kg" (Table 7 . 2 ) .

A s l i g h t upward change was observed i n t h e w a t e r -

soluble s a l t s , e l e c t r i c a l c o n d u c t i v i t y , calcium carbonate,
ammonia-nitrogen, phosphorus and organic matter content of
the s o i l when i t was i r r i g a t e d with tap water ( c o n t r o l )
whereas t h e pH and potassium contents of the s o i l were found
t o be d e c r e a s i n g .

A marked i n c r e a s e i n the organic m a t t e r , calcium

carbonate, sodium, phosphorus, ammonia-nitrogen and p o t a -
ssium content of the s o i l was observed when the s o i l was
i r r i g a t e d with undiluted (100$) soap f a c t o r y effluent
followed by 75$, 50$ and 25$ of t h e e f f l u e n t . The concen-
t r a t i o n of the w a t e r - s o l u b l e s a l t s increased with the
i n c r e a s i n g effluent concentrations as did the e l e c t r i c a l
conductivity and the pH of t h e s o i l .
 231

The per cent changes in the composition of t h e s o i l

i r r i g a t e d with 100$ soap f a c t o r y effluent were recorded to
be 61.53, 55.99, 62.06, 132.48, 3.80 and 23.41*/for organic
m a t t e r , calcium carbonate, ammonia-nitrogen, sodium, phos-
phorus and potassium c o n t e n t s , r e s p e c t i v e l y whereas 25$ of
t h e soap f a c t o r y effluent brought about the l e a s t changes,
i . e . 19.23, 10.66, 13.79, 40.48, 1.09 and 7.59$ i n t h e
c o n c e n t r a t i o n s of the above parameters, r e s p e c t i v e l y as
compared to t h e c o n t r o l . The pH, e l e c t r i c a l conductivity
and w a t e r - s o l u b l e s a l t s were enhanced t o 8.80, 935.0 micro-
1 -1
mhos cm" and 87.58 meq kg a f t e r t h e i r r i g a t i o n with 100$
effluent and t o 8.50, 865.0 micromhos cm" and 76.25 meq
kg" a f t e r i r r i g a t i o n with 25$ e f f l u e n t , respectively.

The c o n c e n t r a t i o n s of w a t e r - s o l u b l e s a l t s , calcium
carbonate, potassium, phosphorus, sodium, ammonia-nitrogen
and organic matter i n t h e pot s o i l s i n which kidney bean
(Phaeeolus aureus) and tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum) p l a n t s
were grown and which were i r r i g a t e d with the same effluent
c o n c e n t r a t i o n s (100$, 75$, 50$, 25$ and 0$) were found to
be lower than those i n the pot s o i l s without p l a n t s (Tables
7.2 and 7.3) showing t h e r e b y , t h e uptake of t h e s e n u t r i e n t s
by t h e p l a n t s from t h e s o i l s (Table 7 . 3 ) . The phenomenon
of uptake of t h e n u t r i e n t s by t h e p l a n t s from the i n d u s t r i a l
and sewage e f f l u e n t s through the s o i l s has been reported
 232

e a r l i e r "by s e v e r a l workers (Rajannan and Oblisamy, 1979;

Thabaraj et a l . , 1964; F e i g i n et a l . , 1979; Palazzo and
J e n k i n s , 1979; Vaisman et a l . , 1981). I t was also observed
t h a t the uptake of these n u t r i e n t s was higher by the kidney
bean p l a n t s than the tomato p l a n t s (Table 7 . 3 ) .

The analyses of the upper s o i l (down t o 5 cm depth)

and the s u b - s o i l (below 5 cm) of the p o t s i r r i g a t e d with the
same c o n c e n t r a t i o n s of the soap factory effluent was also
c a r r i e d out (Tables 7.4 and 7 . 5 ) . The higher values of the
w a t e r - s o l u b l e s a l t s , e l e c t r i c a l c o n d u c t i v i t y , calcium c a r -
bonate, potassium, phosphorus, ammonia-nitrogen, sodium and
organic m a t t e r were found i n the upper s o i l s than i n the
s u b - s o i l s showing thereby t h a t t h e s o i l s can be u t i l i z e d as
a f i l t e r media (Bouwer, 1970; DeVries, 1972; Young et a l . ,
1975).

The e f f e c t s of the v a r i o u s c o n c e n t r a t i o n s of the

soap factory e f f l u e n t on the germination and the growth of
t h e two crop p l a n t s (kidney bean and tomato) have been
i l l u s t r a t e d i n Table 7 . 6 . The germination i n t h e water
i r r i g a t e d ( c o n t r o l ) pots was 100# ( a l l t h e seeds germinated)
for both the crops. The germination of the kidney bean and
tomato seeds was r e s t r i c t e d t o 90$ and 8C$», r e s p e c t i v e l y
when 100$ effluent was used for i r r i g a t i o n . The germination
was a l s o delayed i n t h e s o i l s i r r i g a t e d with 100$ and 75$
 233

effluent whereas it was normal in the soils irrigated with

50$ and 25$ effluent. The plants during germination are
more susceptible to the soil water relationship while in
later stages they may cope up with adverse conditions. The
delay in germination may be attributed to the considerable
effluent salinity (Thakre et al., 1982). During the germi-
nation the plants take up water to hydrolyse the stored
food material and activate the enzymatic action. The water
is absorbed by osmosis, therefore the salt content outside
the seeds may act as a limiting factor which may be a pro-
bable reason for germination delay (Truog, 1951). The
reduced germination in the case of undiluted effluent may
also possibly be due to the absence of sufficient amount
of oxygen in the soil air since the unstabilized effluents
may undergo decomposition in the soil with the help of
soil organisms. Due to the high demand for oxygen of the
undiluted effluent, the oxygen in the soil air may soon be
exhausted and there is every likelihood of the development
of anaerobic conditions. During these periods, the amount
of carbon dioxide which may be produced will be toxic to
the germinating seeds (Thaharaj et al., 1964).

Considering the data obtained (Table 7.6) for plant

growths, the 100^ effluent retarded the growth of both the
crop plants. However, the shoot lengths and the number and
 234

size of leaves were found maximum in the plants grown in

the soil irrigated with 50$ effluent for both the crops.
Bernstein and Hayward (1958) have pointed out that increased
accumulation of soluble salts and hence the increased
osmotic pressure is related to the degree of growth inhibi-
tion. Eaton (1942) and Hayward and Wadleigh (1949) have
also supported the view that reduced water availability
induced by high osmotic pressure of the root medium was the
factor restricting the growth of the plants. Kling (1958)
also has observed progressive inhibition in the growth of
tomato plants with increasing salinity.

The shoot/root ratio for the two crop plants was

also determined (Table 7.6) but no clear cut relationship
could be established between the shoot/root ratio and the
increasing concentrations of the effluent.
TABLE 7 . 1 : PHYSICO-CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SOAP
MANUFACTURING FACTORY EFFLUENT.

Colour Greyish
T u r b i d i t y (FTU) 95.0
pH 9.2
D i s s o l v e d oxygen Nil
B i o c h e m i c a l oxygen demand 671.0
Chemical oxygen demand 1085.0
Total hardness 228.0
Total alkalinity 572.0
Suspended s o l i d s 351.0
Dissolved solids 1468.0
Total solids 1840.0
Chlorides 206.0
Sulphates 135.0
Potassium 6.0
Sodium 7.0
Phosphorus 0.55
Ammonia n i t r o g e n 0.20
Chlorine
Bromine
Iodine ND
Chromium
Copper
Manganese

KB. A l l t h e v a l u e s e x c e p t c o l o u r , t u r b d i t y and pH have

been e x p r e s s e d i n mg 1~ .
TABLE 7.2: EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT CONCENTRATIONS OF SOAP MANUFACTURING FACTORY EFFLUENT
ON CERTAIN CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF POT SOIL.

Parameters Treatment
Original Control Effluent Effluent Effluent Effluent
Soil (water) 25$ 50$ 75$ 100$

pH 8.45 8.40 8.50 8.60 8.65 8.80

(0.10) (0.15) (0.10) (0.05) (0.75)
E l e c t r i c a l conductivity 830.0 845.0 865.0 890.0 910.0 935.0
micromhos cm" (5.0) (9.0) (6.0) (10.0) (9.0)

Water-soluble s a l t s 68.34 72.50 76.25 80.25 83.40 87.58

meq kg"" s o i l (0.80) (0.65) (1 .20) (0.50) (1 .50)

Organic matter fo 0.23 0.26 6.31 0.33 0.37 0.42

(0.02) (0.03) (0.01) (0.03) (0.01)

% Change i n organic m a t t e r 19.23 26.92 42.30 61.53

Calcium carbonate $ 0.70 0.75 0.83 0.90 1.10 1.17

(0.22) (0.18) (0.08) (0.07) (0.10)

# Change i n Calcium carbonate 10.66 19.99 46.66 55.99

Ammonia-nitrogen $ 0.025 0.029 0.033 0.038 0.041 0.047

(0.002) (0.001) (0.001) (0.003) (0.003)

$ Change i n Ammonia-nitrogen 13.79 31.03 51.72 62.06 CO

CO
continued . . .
 TABLE 7 . 2 : continued ...

Parameters Treatment
Original Control Effluent Effluent Effluent Effluent
Soil (water) 25# 5C# 75^ 100#

Sodium 19.70 20.50 28.80 36.30 42.10 47.66

mg k g " soil (1.50) (0.90) (0.75) (1.20) (1.68)

<$> Change i n sodium 40.48 77.07 105.36 132.48

Potassium 165.0 158.0 170.0 176.0 182.0 195.0

mg kg" 1 s o i l ( U 3 5 ) (2 00)
* (1 65)
* (2 85)
- (1 60
' '
# Change i n p o t a s s i u m 7.59 11.39 15.19 23.41

Phosphorus 367.0 370.0 374.0 377.0 381 . 0 384.0

mg kg" soil (2.60) (3.15) (4.52) (3.75) (3.90)

% Change in phosphorus 1.09 1.89 2.97 3.80

NB. ia Changes r e l a t e t o w a t e r - i r r i g a t e d s o i l as control.

Standard d e v i a t i o n s are given i n p a r e n t h e s e s .
TABLE 7.3: EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT CONCENTRATIONS OF SOAP MANUFACTURING FACTORY EFFLUENT
ON CERTAIN CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF POT SOILS WITH PLANTS.
(Data represent the mean of five replications)

Parameters Treatment
Control Effluent Effluent Effluent Effluent
(water) 25# 50# 75#

(KB 8.35 8.45 8.50 8.60 8.70

(0.10) (0.07) (0.05) (0.08) (0.04)
pH
(T 8.40 8.45 8.55 8.60 8.75
(0.15) (0.10) (0.05) (0.10) (0.07)

(KB 830.0 855.0 870.0 885.0 920.0

E l e c t r i c a l conductivity ( (5.0) (10.0) (5.0) (6.0) (5.0)
micromhos cm" - 840.0 860.0 880.0 900.0 930.0
( ,
(5.0) (5.0) (15.0) (10.0) (10.0)

(KB 67.50 70.80 74.66 79.10 84.35

Water-soluble s a l t s (0.35) (0.65) (1.10) (0.50) (0.80)
meq kg soil .T 68.35 72.00 76.40 80.30 85.55
(0.18) (0.80) (0.70) (0.90) (0.60)

continued ...
to
CO
GO
 TABLE 7.3: continued ...

Parameters Treatment
Control Effluent Effluent Effluent Effluent
(water) 25$ 75$ 100$

(KB 0.22 0.27 0.27 0.32 0.37

(0.03) (0.07) (0.04) (0.09) (0.07)
Organic matter $
(T 0.23 0.27 0.29 0.34 0.39
(0.05) (0.07) (0.02) (0.05) (0.06)

(KB 0.71 0.77 0.85 1 .03 1 .11

(0.15) (0.30) (0.18) (0.10) (0.10)
Calcium carbonate $
(T 0.72 0.79 0.83 1.05 1.13
(0.10) (0.20) (0.05) (0.20) (0.05)

(KB 0.020 0.026 0.030 0.036 0.041

(0.006) (0.002) (0.007) (0.003) (0.004)
Ammonia-nit rogen
T 0.023 0.028 0.033 0.038 0.042
(0.004) (0.003) (0.005) (0.005) (0.007)

(KB 18.30 25.50 31 .80 36.15 44.75

Sodium (0.60) (1 .20) (0.50) (1.10) (0.90)
_1
mg kg soil
(T 18.70 25.90 32.20 37.00 45.50 CO
(0.80) (0.70) (0.70) (0.40) (1.20) CO

continued ...
 TABLE 7.3: continued ...

Parameters Treatment
Control Effluent Effluent Effluent Effluent
(water) 25$ 50$ 75$ 100$

(KB 150.0 162.0 166.0 176.0 190.0

Potassium ( (1.00) (2.10) (3.00) (1.60) (1.50)
mg kg" soil
I. 150.0
(1.30)
164.0
(2.50)
169.0
(1.70)
179.0
(1.90)
191.0
(1.70)

'KB 360.0 366.0 369.0 374.0 378.0

Phosphorus (1.50) (2.40) (2.60) (1.80) (1.50)
mg kg soil 371.0 377.0 379.0
362.0 365.0
(1.70) (0.90) (2.00) (1.10) (1.90)

NB. Standard deviations are given in parentheses,

KB = Kidney bean
T = Tomato.

CD
TABLE 7.4: EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT CONCENTRATIONS OF SOAP MANUFACTURING FACTORY EFFLUENT
ON CERTAIN CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF POT UPPER SOIL.
(Data represent the mean of five replications)

Parameters Treatment
Control Effluent Effluent Effluent Effluent
(water) 25# 50^ 75$ 100$

PH 8.35 8.55 8.65 8.75 8.90

(0.20) (0.10) (0.05) (0.10) (0.10)

E l e c t r i c a l conductivity 850.0 880.0 920.0 930.0 960.0

micromhos cm" (10.0) (5.0) (5.0) (15.0) (10.0)

Water-soluble s a l t s 70.35 79.00 85.55 87.25 93.43

meq kg soil (1.25) (2.00) (2.20) (1.85) (0.97)

Organic m a t t e r $ 0.24 0.33 0.37 0.41 0.47

(0.03) (0.05) (0.04) (0.03) (0.05)
$ Change in organic matter 37.50 54.16 70.83 95.83

Calcium carbonate % 0.77 0.87 0.96 1.19 1.25

(0.18) (0.20) . (0.10) (0.05) (0.08)
# Change in calcium carbonate 12.98 24.67 54.54 62.33
ro
continued ...
 TABLE 7 . 4 : continued ...

Parameters Treatment
Control Effluent Effluent Effluent Effluent
(wat er) 25/o 50$ 75$ 100$

Ammonia-nitrogen $ 0.032 0.039 0.045 0.051 0.056

(0.002) (0.006) (0.004) (0.003) (0.005)
$ Change i n ammonia-nitrogen 21 .87 40.62 59.37 75.00

Sodium 21.70 31.50 39.85 46.50 50.66

mg 1kg - 1 s o i l (1.68) (1.10) (1.85) (1.05) (1.90)

$ Change i n sodium 45.16 82.94 114.28 133.45

Potassium 153.0 176.0 181 .0 186.0 203.0

(1.50) (2.20) (3.50) (2.50) (1.95)
mg kg" s o i l
$ Change i n potassium 15.03 18.30 21 .56 32.67

Phosphorus 375.0 378.0 385.0 390.0 394.0

(5.60) (3.80) (1.80) (1.50) (3.20)
mg kg soil
$ Change i n phosphorus 0.79 2.66 3.99 5.06

NB. $ Changes r e l a t e t o w a t e r - i r r i g a t e d s o i l as c o n t r o l . ro
Standard d e v i a t i o n s are given i n p a r e n t h e s e s .
TABLE 7 . 5 : EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT CONCENTRATIONS OF SOAP MANUFACTURING FACTORY EFFLUENT
ON CERTAIN CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF POT SUB-SOIL.

( D a t a r e p r e s e n t t h e mean o f f i v e replications)

Parameters Treatment
Control Effluent Effluent Effluent Effluent
(wat e r ) 25$ 50$ 75$ 100$

pH 8.40 8.45 8.55 8.65 8.85

(0.10) (0.05) (0.15) (0.10) (0.10)

Electrical conductivity 840.0 855.0 870.0 900.0 915.0

m i c r o m h o s cm"" (5.0) (5.0) (10.0) (15.0) (10.0)

Water-soluble salts 72.80 72.80 76.70 79.54 82.60

meq kg soil (0.85) (0.35) (0.18) (1.20) (0.80)

Organic matter $ 0.27 0.27 0.30 0.34 0.38

(0.05) (0.04) (0.03) (0.01) (0.03)

$ Change i n o r g a n i c matter 0.00 11.11 25.92 40.74

Calcium carbonate $ 0.72 0.80 0.85 1 .00 1,.07

(0.15) (0.20) (0.18) (0.05) ( 0 .10)

it> Change i n calcium carbonate 11 .11 18.05 38.88 48,.61

ro
continued * '• . CO
 TABLE 7 . 5 : continued ...

Parameters Treatment
Control Effluent Effluent Effluent Effluent
(water) 25?S 5Cffo 759* 100$

Ammonia-nitrogen <fi 0.027 0.029 0.031 0.033 0.045

(0.002) (0.003) (0.001) (0.003) (0.004)
<$> Change i n ammonia-nitrogen 7.40 14.81 22.22 66.66

Sodium 19.60 25.60 32.15 37.30 44.16

mg k g " soil (1.47) (0.95) (1.80) (1.90) (1.70)

% Change i n sodium 30.61 64.03 90.30 125.30

Potassium 161.0 166.0 170.0 177.0 188.0

(1.74) (1.54) (1.98) (2.00) (1.19)
mg kg soil
io Change i n p o t a s s i u m 3.10 5.59 9.93 16.77

Phosphorus 367.0 368.0 371.0 377.0 382.0

_1 (2.60) (3.70) (3.90) (4.70) (1.90)
mg kg soil
i» Change i n p h o s p h o r u s 0.28 1.08 2.72 4.08

NB. % Changes r e l a t e t o w a t e r - i r r i g a t e d s o i l a s c o n t r o l .
Standard d e v i a t i o n s are given i n p a r e n t h e s e s .
TABLE 7.6: EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT CONCENTRATIONS OF SOAP MANUFACTURING FACTORY EFFLUENT
ON THE GERMINATION AND GROWTH OF PLANTS.

Parameters Treatment

Control Effluent Effluent Effluent Effluent

(water) 25$ 50$ 75# ^00f°

Average time taken for (KBS 6 6 6 7 8

germination (days) (
(TS 8 8 8 9 10

| KBS 100 100 100 100 80

G e r m i n a t i o n <%>
!TS 100 100 100 80 70

(KBP 11.50 12.30 14.00 12.10 10.40

Average shoot l e n g t h (cm)(
(TP 9.50 9.90 10.50 9.00 8.30

(KBP 9.50 8.30 8.40 8.30 8.60

Average root length (cm) (
(TP 5.80 5.60 6.10 6.20 6.10

continued . . . ro
en
 TABLE 7.6: continued ...

Parameters Treatment

Control Effluent Effluent Effluent Effluent

(wat er) 25# 50# 75$ 100$

(KBP 1.21 1 .48 1 .66 1.45 1.20

Shoot/root ratio (
(TP 1.63 1.76 1.72 1.45 1.36

(KBP 8 8 11 8 6
Average number of
leaves per plant (
(TP 10 10 12 8 6

NB. KBS = Kidney bean seeds;

TS = Tomato seeds;
KBP = Kidney bean plants;
TP = Tomato plants.