A study on the physico-chemical characteristics of Tannery Waste Water at Tiruchirappalli district

Abstract

The waste water generated by the tanning industry are the potential sources of pollution in Tiruchirappalli district. The tannery effluent can cause serious impact to water and soil. This study evaluates the physico-chemical characteristics of tannery effluent and soil. The chemical and physical parameters and water quality index of tannery wastewater were observed to be toxic as it contains large values of organic and inorganic chemical elements.  The tannery effluent contains large values of TDS, EC, anions and cations. The major pollutants in tannery effluents are high chlorides, sulphide and total dissolved solids (TDS). The organic impurities in tannery wastewater are the cause for its bad odour. Tannery wastewater polluted soil was analysed and found to have high values of PH, ESP(Exchangeable sodium percentage), EC,  sodium, chloride, sodium adsorption ratio, micronutrients and macronutrients and low values of organic matter, moisture content, phosphorus, potassium, nitrogen,  than the garden soil Unpolluted soil.