Published Paper Details:

The effluent and solid waste of the Chlor-alkali industry contained significant amount of mercury. The effluent after joining the Rushikulya River significantly changes the physico-chemical properties of river water. The river water which is used for irrigation contained significant amount of mercury. Significant variation was recorded in temperature, pH, hardness, chlorinity, dissolved oxygen, BOD, COD, suspended solids, total nitrogen, total phosphorus and mercury content. The mercury concentration significantly varied in all the 5 stations of the effluent canal. The sediments collected from the effluent canal were dumped nearby. It was observed that the solid waste contained significant amount of mercury much more than prescribed limit. The lechate and washings enter into the river during rainy season increasing the mercury level in the river water. This river water was used to irrigate the crop fields at down stream. To study the impact of lechate on seed germination and seedling viability laboratory experiments were conducted taking rice crop seeds. The concentration of mercury was maintained in all the experiments. Solid waste was taken and air dried, powdered. The solid waste powder (1kg) was taken mixed with distilled water (2L) and stirred for 15days at 2hrs interval. After 15 days of stirring the whole content was allowed to sediment and the extract was decanted and kept in the fridge for experiment. The seed germination and seedling establishment decreased with the increase in solid waste extract concentration, when compared to the respective control values. The pigments like total chlorophyll, total pheophytin and carotenoid content significantly decreased in exposed seedling leaves compared to control seedling leaves of rice crop seedlings. The effluent and solid waste of the industry is highly toxic and should not be released into the environment as both the toxicants severely affect the environment and plants.