scholarly journals Effect of Irrigation with Municipal Wastewater on Heavy Metal and Fecal Coliform Concentrations in Plant and Soil

2019 ◽  

<p>In order to investigate the effect of treated wastewater on heavy metals and fecal coliform in plant and soil, a field experiment was conducted in RCBD with three treatments in four replications during 2016-2017 in Borkhar, Isfahan (Iran). Treatments including well water, semi-treated wastewater and combination of well water and wastewater were applied in consecutive cultivation of wheat and forage corn. The amount of heavy metals in the soil did not change after two seasons of wastewater application compared to well water. The amount of fecal coliform in both plants was increased in the irrigation water treatment compared to the well water, which was more evident in the corn plant, which is related to the high moisture content of this plant at harvest stage. Due to the improvement of soil nutrient concentrations after two seasons of continuous application of wastewater and no increase in the amount of heavy metals in the soil, the use of wastewater for agricultural production is permissible. But according to the fecal coliform index, it is recommended not to be used for the production of crops harvested at high humidity and conditions for the survival of pathogens.</p>

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 409-419
Author(s):  
Mashallah DANESHVAR ◽  
Farhad FATTAHI ◽  
Hamid R. RAHMANI ◽  
Seyed A. M. MODARRES SANAVY ◽  
Masoud SAMI

In order to investigate the effect of treated wastewater on forage yield, nutrient elements and heavy metals in corn plants (Zea maize, 704 single cross), a field experiment was conducted in RCBD with three treatments in four replications in 2017. Irrigation with well water as first treatment, irrigation with wastewater as second treatment and irrigation with well water and wastewater was alternately applied as a third treatment. The results showed that the highest amount of forage corn yield, stalk and ear dry weight, plant height and leaf number and spade index were obtained in irrigation with wastewater. The highest nitrogen content of leaf and stalk and corn grain was obtained in irrigation with wastewater treatment and the least amount in irrigation with well water treatment was obtained. The amount of phosphorus and potassium measured in leaf and stalk of corn in all three treatments were not significantly different. Also, the highest amount of iron and zinc in leaf and stalk of corn was obtained in irrigation with wastewater treatment. The results showed that the amount of heavy metals including lead, cadmium and nickel in soils were not significantly different in all three treatments. According to the results, the use of urban wastewater not only does not cause soil and plant pollution to heavy elements, but also increases plant yield and nutrition.


2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (22) ◽  
pp. 18973-18998 ◽  
Author(s):  
X. Yang ◽  
X. Chi ◽  
C. Ji ◽  
H. Liu ◽  
W. Ma ◽  
...  

Abstract. Concentrations of leaf nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) are key leaf traits in ecosystem functioning and dynamics. Foliar stoichiometry varies remarkably among life forms. However, previous studies have focused on trees and grasses, leaving the knowledge gap for the stoichiometric patterns of shrubs. In this study, we explored the intra- and interspecific variations of leaf N and P concentration in relation to climate, soil property and evolutionary history based on 1486 samples composed of 163 shrub species from 361 shrubland sites in northern China expanding 46.1° (86.7–132.8° E) in longitude and 19.8° (32.6–52.4° N) in latitude. The results showed that leaf N concentration decreased with precipitation, leaf P concentration decreased with temperature and increased with precipitation and soil P concentration. Both leaf N and P concentrations were phylogenetically conserved, but leaf P concentration was less conserved than leaf N concentration. At community level, climates explained more interspecific, while soil nutrient explained more intraspecific, variation of leaf nutrient concentrations. These results suggested that leaf N and P concentrations responded to climate, soil, and phylogeny in different ways. Climate influenced the community chemical traits through the shift in species composition, whereas soil directly influenced the community chemical traits.


1991 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 215-220 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin M. Dunham

ABSTRACTSoil nutrient concentrations under Acacia albida and Kigelia africana trees growing in Zambezi riverine woodlands were compared with soils in the open, beyond tree canopies. Concentrations of N, C, P and K were higher under tree canopies. Concentrations of Ca and Mg were unchanged. Soils were slightly more acid under A. albida trees relative to open soil, but were less acid under K. africana. Soil P concentration was higher under K. africana than under A. albida. Otherwise, the two species had similar effects on soil fertility. Despite previous claims, A. albida is probably no more efficient at increasing soil fertility than other savanna trees.


Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 649
Author(s):  
Jorge De las Heras ◽  
Pilar Mañas

Having drinking water is one of the sustainable development goals (SDG no. 6) that is not always easy to ensure, especially in countries like Spain or arid regions marked by water deficit. The reuse of treated water should be considered when planning water resources, but it is necessary to verify that this effectiveness is applicable to real situations. A field trial was carried out in several study areas distributed in agricultural parcels of south east Spain. Soils from two olive groves and two vineyards irrigated with treated wastewater (TW) were monitored for to compare with other plantations irrigated with conventional well water (WW) since July 2016–September 2018. Five different irrigation water sources were analyzed (two from well water and three from reclaimed wastewater). No microbiological, metal content, toxicity or organic compounds (PAHs and PCBs) in the studied water samples were detected and reclaimed municipal wastewater was comparable in quality to the conventional sources at all the demonstration sites, except for higher electrical conductivity. Soils irrigated with TW had higher values for electrical conductivity, N, K, Na, Mg, Mn and cation exchange capacity. The main precautions to be considered when irrigating with treated wastewater are its salt content and its tendency to high values of electrical conductivity. Otherwise, they are an interesting contribution of nutrients to soil. Hence adopting this water type to irrigate orchards, vineyards and olive groves could help to save primary water resources.


Author(s):  
Luitgard Schwendenmann ◽  
Beate Michalzik

Kauri dieback, caused by Phytophthora agathidicida, is an ecosystem disturbance that poses a recent threat to the survival of kauri (Agathis australis) forests in New Zealand. Throughfall and stemflow play an important role in meeting the nutrient requirements of kauri forests. However, the effects of kauri dieback on canopy nutrient deposition remain unknown. Here we measured throughfall, stemflow and forest floor water yield and nutrient concentrations and fluxes (potassium, calcium, magnesium, manganese, silicon, sulphur, sodium, iron) of ten kauri trees differing in soil P. agathidicida DNA concentration and health status. We did not observe an effect of soil P. agathidicida DNA concentration on throughfall and stemflow water yield. Throughfall and forest floor nutrient concentrations and fluxes tended to decrease (up to 50%) with increasing soil P. agathidicida DNA concentration. Significant effects were found for potassium and manganese fluxes in throughfall, and calcium and silicon fluxes in forest floor leachate. The decline in nutrient input will have implications on plant nutrition, tree health and susceptibility to future pathogen infection in these ecologically unique kauri forests. Given our findings and the increasing spread of Phytophthora species worldwide, research on the underlying physiological mechanisms linking dieback and plant-soil nutrient fluxes is critical.


HortScience ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 479B-479
Author(s):  
S. Al-Ghawas ◽  
K. Al-Mazeedi

Treated wastewater will play important role in the implementation of Kuwait National Agriculture Development Plan. As a substitute for brackish or fresh water in irrigation, treated municipal wastewater can be a practical solution. Nevertheless, special health and environmental considerations should be carefully assessed when using this water source. These considerations include potential infection with human pathogens, effects of heavy metals on the public health, and the ecological consequence on soil and water resources at large. These topics were investigated under controlled environment using a range of crops and two types of irrigation water: a tertiary treated wastewater source and fresh tap water as a control. Soil, water, and plant samples were collected at fixed intervals and were analyzed for total viable count; total Coliforms; faecal Coliforms; and faecal Streptococc, Salmonellae, Shigella, Ascaris imbricoides and pathogenic viruses. In addition, we measured for nine heavy metals (Cd, Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu, Ni, Co, Cr, and Pb). Soil salinity and build-up of sodicity in soil and ground water sources also were investigated for any changes that could indicate a potential long-term degradation effect. The results after 3 years of study indicate that the generated tertiary treated wastewater is of high quality. Its potential pathogenic content is below the guidelines recommended by WHO for using wastewater in mixed agriculture, and therefore, it had no accumulative effect on the irrigated soil or the different parts of plant tissues that were analyzed. However, treated effluent have occasionally exhibited pathogenic index higher than permitted levels reflecting the fluctuating nature of wastewater treatment. Heavy metals content of irrigation water and from the irrigated soils were negligible, and the plant tissues that were analyzed contained metallic contents below the established range in IPE. The treated water had low TDS but high sodium content with 25–35 SAR values; however, the effect on the irrigated soil was insignificant due to the calcareous nature of the soil used. This study used drip irrigation system and under similar conditions no health problems will be expected when using tertiary treated wastewater for irrigation. To minimize potential risk to the consumers, specific guidelines are recommended on the type of crops to grow and the horticulture practices to be used.


2020 ◽  

<p>The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of sub-irrigation with untreated and treated municipal wastewater on soil chemical parameters. Three treatments were used: untreated wastewater (U), treated wastewater (T) and tap water (W), being the control treatment, in two soil types, Sandy loam (SL) and Loamy sand (LS). A sub-irrigation system including pots filled with soil was installed in one of the greenhouses of the Agricultural University of Athens. The wastewater used was applied in the soil in pots at a depth of 10cm and 20cm. In order to determine the changes of chemical parameters at the point where the emitter was placed, the soil was divided into two zones according to depth: (zone I -upper) and (zone II-lower). The pH, CaCO3 %, K μg/g, Na μg/g, P μg/g and EC μmhos/cm, were determined. Statistically significant differences (p &lt;0, 05) in sodium Na+ μg/g and electrical conductivity EC were observed, only in LS soil. Phosphorus and sodium increased in zone (I) for SL soil (p &lt;0, 05). Electrical conductivity and potassium increased in zone (I), while CaCO3% and pH increased in zone (II) for LS soil (P &lt;0, 05).</p>


2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Athar Hussain ◽  
Manjeeta Priyadarshi ◽  
Saif Said ◽  
Suraj Negi

Most of the industrial sewage effluents used for irrigation contains heavy metals which cause toxicity to crop plants as the soils are able to accumulate heavy metal for many years. The vegetables grown for the present study were irrigated with treated wastewater brought from a nearby full-scale sewage treatment plant at different compositions along with tap water as a control. The concentration levels of the Cd, Co, Cu, Mn and Zn in the soil were found to below the toxic limits as prescribed in literature. Daily Intake Metals (DIM) values suggest that the consumption of plants grown in treated wastewater and tap water is nearly free of risks, as the dietary intake limits of Cu, Fe, Zn and Mn. The Enrichment Factor for the treated wastewater irrigated soil was found in order Zn> Ni> Pb> Cr> Cu> Co> Mn> Cd. Thus, treated wastewater can be effectively used for irrigation. This will have twofold significant environmental advantages: (1) helpful to reduce the groundwater usage for irrigation and (2) helpful to reduce the stress on surface water resources.


2003 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 145-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Heinonen-Tanski ◽  
P. Juntunen ◽  
R. Rajala ◽  
E. Haume ◽  
A. Niemelä

Municipal treated wastewater has been tertiary treated in a pilot-scale rapid sand filter. The filtration process was improved by using polyaluminium coagulants. The sand-filtered water was further treated with one or two UV reactors. The quality changes of wastewater were measured with transmittance, total phosphorus, soluble phosphorus, and somatic coliphages, FRNA-coliphages, FC, enterococci and fecal clostridia. Sand filtration alone without coagulants improved slightly some physico-chemical parameters and it had almost no effect on content of microorganisms. If coagulants were used, the filtration was more effective. The reductions were 88-98% for microbial groups and 80% for total phosphorus. The wastewater would meet the requirements for bathing waters (2,000 FC/100 ml, EU, 1976). UV further improved the hygiene level; this type of treated wastewater could be used for unrestricted irrigation (2.2 TC/100 ml, US.EPA 1992). The improvement was better if coagulants were used. The price for tertiary treatment (filtration + UV) would have been 0.036 Euro/m3 according to prices in 2001 in 22 Mm3/a. The investment cost needed for the filtration unit was 0.020 Euro/m3 (6%/15a). Filtration with coagulants is recommended in spite of its costs, since the low transmittance of unfiltered wastewater impairs the efficiency of the UV treatment.


2019 ◽  
Vol 86 (4) ◽  
pp. 765-770 ◽  
Author(s):  
X.-Y. Li ◽  
P.-P. Fan ◽  
Y. Liu ◽  
G.-L. Hou ◽  
Q. Wang ◽  
...  

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