Assessment of Soil Properties and Contamination Soil in Nhue River Basin in Duy Tien District, Ha Nam Province

Abstract

      The aims of the present study were to assess soil properties and soil contamination level in Nhue river basin. Forty soil samples and twelf water samples were taken. Results showed that soil pH varied from acidic to light acidic (4.3 - 6.0). Soil organic matter (SOM), total nitrogen, total phosphate and total potasium ranged from moderate to high (SOM: 1.50 - 2.50%; N: 0.08 - 0.20%; P2O5: 0.01 - 0.14%; K2O: 1.48 - 1.80%). The quantity and composition of microorganisms were diffrent between paddy soil and others. Total anaerobic bacteria were highest in paddy soil (8.2x106 CFU.g-1), 2.2 times of vegetable soil. Total fungi were variable with soil pH except actinomycetes. Analysis of irrigation water showed that 50% samples had pH exceeding the limit justified by QCVN 08:2008/BTNMT. TSS was high and very close to the limit. Some water samples showed that heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn ) were around concentration threshhold. Farmland in the study area showed sign of heavy metal contamintion. Concentration of copper in two soil samples (DTS02 and DTS03) in Bach Thuong commune was exceeding the limit (55.28 mg.kg-1 and 55.03 mg.kg-1, respectively). Concentration of heavy metals in paddy soil was higher than that in vegetable soil.