Effect of Pig Iron Slag Particles on Soil Microbial and Enzyme Activities

The effect of pig iron slag particles on soil physico-chemical, biological and certain soil enzyme properties was studied. Contamination of iron slag particles altered physico-chemical, biological and enzyme properties of soil. While soil pH increased slightly, electrical conductivity, carbon, potassium and phosphorus contents increased significantly in polluted soil. Contamination of soil with pig iron slag caused drastic reduction in microbial population. Similarly, enzyme activities such as dehydrogenase and protease were ceased by three fold in polluted soil when compared to the control.