SOIL AND IRRIGATION WATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT IN AGRICULTURAL FIELDS IN VICINITY OF KHANPUR DAM, KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA

Abstract

The particular study aims to assess the soil and irrigation water quality in agricultural fields near the vicinity of Khanpur Dam. The (irrigation water, soil) samples were collected from the selected area of sampling according to standard protocols and then digested, using the standard laboratory protocols. Trace elements in both the soil as well as the irrigation water were analyzed through atomic absorption spectrometer. The subjected heavy metals result was as follows; The Lead ranged from 0.03 to 3.16 mg/L in irrigation water and 18.23 to 63.58 in soil samples. The Chromium concentration varies from 0.02 to 1.9mg/L in water and 25.3 to 67.3mg/Kg in soil whereas, the concentration of Cadmium ranged from 0.001 to 1.6 mg/L in water and 0.08 to 3.11 mg/Kg in soil .The Zinc metal concentration ranged in water from 0.01 to 0.09mg/L and in soil its ranges from 0.16 to 1.92mg/Kg while in water the Nickel ranged in between 0.01 to 1.17mg/L and 20.42 to 43.3 mg/Kg in soil. The Copper ranges from 0.01 to 1.41mg/L in irrigation water and 11.31 to 35.07 mg/Kg in soil .The last metal subjected was Arsenic and its concentration in water ranged from 0.1mg/L to BDL whereas, in soil it was 0.0075-0.16 mg/Kg. Analysis of physicochemical parameters for soil and irrigation water was done. Furthermore, the bar graphs were used to describe graphical representation. The trace elements in (irrigation water) were found in decreasing order of (Cr>Cu> Ni>Cd>Pb>Zn>As) and (Cd>Ni>Pb>Cr >Cu >Zn >As) in soils. Whereas, (Cu, Cr, Cd, As and Ni) were detected in IW above the prescribed limits whereas, (Cd) in soil was present in huge concentration beyond the standards limits. This research concludes the high concentration of trace elements majorly in irrigation water and soil irrigated using this water was also found highly metal contaminated. However, in physicochemical parameters the sodium adsorption ratio of irrigation water was much high and macronutrients in soil were present in abundance.