Abstract

A study on the environmental pollution due to paper industry was undertaken. The undiluted effluent of the paper mill was dark brown in colour with appreciable quantities of suspended and dissolved solids with high values of BOD and COD. The effluent had slightly alkaline pH and high EC with appreciable quantities of Cl. SO,. HCO,. Na. Ca. Mg and variable amounts of micronutrients. Effluent irrigation. in general, increased the available N, K status, whereas P status in soil decreased. Rice husk ash application favoured higher P and K availability in soil. Effluent irrigation did not affect the grain yield. These results indicate the possibilities of the use of effluent for irrigating rice crop without any adverse effect on the growth and yield.

Keywords: Paper factory effluent, Rice husk, Pollution