UTTAR PRADESH JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY

The soil pollution resulting from industrial activities has emerged as a significant environmental challenge. In this study, conducted from December 2022 to May 2023, soil in the vicinity of the NTPC Kayamkulam industrial site, located in Alappuzha, Kerala, was evaluated to assess the impact of industrial activity on its physico-chemical and biological characteristics. Six sampling sites were selected across Arattupuzha, Chingoli, Karthikappally, Muthukulam and Cheppad panchayats surrounding the industry, along with a nearby agricultural site as a reference. Soil samples were collected monthly from each site, and key parameters, including organic carbon, microbial diversity, temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, moisture content, water holding capacity, chlorine, and calcium carbonate, were analysed. Statistical analyses were done using one-way ANOVA for site comparisons and Pearson’s correlation and multiple regression for parameter relationships. The results indicated that soils in the industrial zone exhibited severe organic carbon depletion, with the lowest values recorded at sites 3 (0.30 ± 0.16%) and 6 (0.33 ± 0.13%) compared to the adjacent agricultural area (2.88 ± 0.49%). Microbial diversity showed a similar decline at industrial sites (130-200 × 10⁴ cfu/g) in contrast with the agricultural reference site (>320 × 10⁴ cfu/g). The soil pH was acidic; electrical conductivity, moisture content, and water-holding capacity were lower, whereas chlorine and calcium carbonate concentrations were higher near the industrial area. Organic carbon and microbial diversity showed significant positive correlations with water holding capacity, electrical conductivity, and pH (P<0.01). It can be concluded that industrial activities around the NTPC Kayamkulam have significantly deteriorated the soil quality in the vicinity. In contrast, the relatively better soil characteristics in nearby agricultural land highlight its protective role.