Assessment of Geochemistry of Soils of Iron Ore Belt of Bolani and Barbil Odisha, India: A Factor Model

Natural processes such as weathering and erosion control the metal load of soils making it suitable for plant growth. However, mining and industrial activity in a region can greatly obliterate this natural balance by accelerated accumulation of undesirable trace metals in soils, rendering it unsuitable for plant growth. Hence, geochemical study of soils of such area is necessary. Factor analysis was carried out on soil geochemical data to establish various processes responsible for metal accumulation. Five factors were retained from post-monsoon soil data. First and second factors are attributed to iron and manganese mining in the area. The third, fourth and fifth factors are attributed to natural processes such as chemical alteration of iron minerals, weathering of rocks and formation of clay minerals.