Soil health assessment of croplands adjacent to industrial areas in Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu

Soil health is a vital determinant of agricultural productivity and the supply of essential ecosystem services, including water retention, nutrient cycling and the support of microbial communities. However, industrial activities near croplands can adversely affect soil health through contamination by pollutants such as heavy metals, chemicals and waste materials. This study evaluates the soil health of agricultural lands adjacent to industrial areas in Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu, with an emphasis on physical, chemical and biological soil properties. A total of 128 soil samples were collected and categorized into three groups: Primary Impact Sites (PIS), Secondary Impact Sites (SIS) and Reference Soils (RS). The analysis revealed that soils in proximity to industrial zones exhibited significant degradation in key indicators, such as bulk density, water holding capacity (WHC), organic carbon (OC) content and microbial activity. Soils at Primary Impact Sites demonstrated the most pronounced decline, characterized by higher bulk density, reduced WHC and lower OC levels, indicative of poor structure of soil and diminished fertility. In contrast, soils at Secondary Impact Sites and Reference Soils exhibited better overall quality, with higher microbial activity and enhanced nutrient retention. The findings of this study emphasize the indirect effects of industrialization on agricultural productivity through soil degradation.