Soil Contamination and Its Impact on Earthworm Population Number around Areas of Paradeep Phosphate Limited, Paradeep

Industrialization and soil contamination have been a long concern over the years by ecologist and environmentalist. Fatal consequences of industrialization over soil biota and its ecosystem continues from last two decades. Present study conducted to determine the range of soil contamination and its impact on earthworm population in the surrounding areas of Paradeep Phosphate Limited (PPL) which are very much prone towards pollution hazards. Investigation revealed the soil contamination range with its contaminants such as Cd, Cr, Pb, Hg, Zn, As, Fe, Cu and Ni. Concentration level of Cd, Cr, Pb, Hg and Zn recorded more than maximum permissible limit where As, Fe, Cu and Ni level noticed above the normal permissible limit. In all sites highest concentration of HM recorded except site - E. Earthworm population also observed very low in comparison to site E. Present investigation concluded that surrounding areas of PPL highly contaminated with heavy metals and has the direct influence over inhabiting earthworms population and significantly on its population number also.