Agricultural Research

December 2012, Volume 1, Issue 4, pp 379–391s

Effects of Waste Water Irrigation on Physical and Biochemical Characteristics of Soil and Metal Partitioning in Beta vulgaris L.

• Abstract: The present study deals with the assessment of changes in physical and biochemical characteristics of soil and metal partitioning in Beta vulgaris L. grown in farmer’s fields irrigated with waste water in Dinapur and Lohta areas of Varanasi, India, during December to February, 2007–2008 and 2008–2009. Nutrient concentrations, organic carbon, microbial biomass, C, N, and P, enzymatic activities and heavy metal concentrations in soil and plant parts were estimated at waste water (DW1, DW2 and LW) and clean water-irrigated sites (DC and LC). Sites receiving waste water irrigation showed an increase in organic C by 36 and 64 % and in available phosphorus by 15 and, 21 % at DW1 and DW2 sites compared to DC and 88 and 29 % at LW compared to LC during the first year. Dehydrogenase and urease activities increased two to threefold at waste water-irrigated sites compared to the respective clean water-irrigated ones during both the years of study. Microbial biomass (C, N, and P) and concentrations of exchangeable cations (Na+, K+, and Ca+2) also showed increments varying from two to threefold at waste water-irrigated sites. During both the years, total heavy metal concentration in soil was the highest for Mn followed by Zn, Pb, Ni, Cu, Cr, and Cd at Dinapur, whereas at Lohta the trend was Mn, Zn, Cr, Pb, Cu, and Cd. The accumulation of heavy metals in the plants was several-fold higher in roots and shoots at waste water-irrigated sites, and Cd, Pb, and Ni were above the safe limits in edible tissues. Lower metal concentrations were recorded at DW1 site compared to DW2 and LW sites. The study suggests that waste water irrigation led to beneficial changes in physico-chemical and biological properties of the soil, but increased the soil contamination of heavy metals. However, the intermittent use of clean water in such areas may not only reduce the metal contamination in the plants but will also maintain soil fertility.
• Some PDFs for further reading...

Agricultural Research

December 2012, Volume 1, Issue 4, pp 379–391s

Effects of Waste Water Irrigation on Physical and Biochemical Characteristics of Soil and Metal Partitioning in Beta vulgaris L.

• Abstract: The present study deals with the assessment of changes in physical and biochemical characteristics of soil and metal partitioning in Beta vulgaris L. grown in farmer’s fields irrigated with waste water in Dinapur and Lohta areas of Varanasi, India, during December to February, 2007–2008 and 2008–2009. Nutrient concentrations, organic carbon, microbial biomass, C, N, and P, enzymatic activities and heavy metal concentrations in soil and plant parts were estimated at waste water (DW1, DW2 and LW) and clean water-irrigated sites (DC and LC). Sites receiving waste water irrigation showed an increase in organic C by 36 and 64 % and in available phosphorus by 15 and, 21 % at DW1 and DW2 sites compared to DC and 88 and 29 % at LW compared to LC during the first year. Dehydrogenase and urease activities increased two to threefold at waste water-irrigated sites compared to the respective clean water-irrigated ones during both the years of study. Microbial biomass (C, N, and P) and concentrations of exchangeable cations (Na+, K+, and Ca+2) also showed increments varying from two to threefold at waste water-irrigated sites. During both the years, total heavy metal concentration in soil was the highest for Mn followed by Zn, Pb, Ni, Cu, Cr, and Cd at Dinapur, whereas at Lohta the trend was Mn, Zn, Cr, Pb, Cu, and Cd. The accumulation of heavy metals in the plants was several-fold higher in roots and shoots at waste water-irrigated sites, and Cd, Pb, and Ni were above the safe limits in edible tissues. Lower metal concentrations were recorded at DW1 site compared to DW2 and LW sites. The study suggests that waste water irrigation led to beneficial changes in physico-chemical and biological properties of the soil, but increased the soil contamination of heavy metals. However, the intermittent use of clean water in such areas may not only reduce the metal contamination in the plants but will also maintain soil fertility.
• Some PDFs for further reading...

http://www.scielo.br/pdf/rbcs/v34n2/v34n2a05

Thank you dears professors for this information.

We obtained semi-arid land in Brazil partial results (two years) on the nutrient contribution (N, P, K +, Na +), due to treatments and in the depths of the soil (0 - 0.20, 0,20 - 0,40 and 0,40 - 0,60 m), the partial results obtained made it possible to conclude that the use of wastewater in a controlled way can be an alternative to potentiate the food production, without effects negative effects on the imbalance and the presence of toxic ions in the soil.

We have not studied the pathogenic aspects but I think that it must have an impact between wastewater loaded with drug molecules and other pathogens.

The relationship between these pathogen transfers, human consumption and endocrine diseases needs to be debated? The methods and techniques to study the transfer of these molecules to waste plagues plants are disparatres and poorly controlled.

please take a look on pending PDF, s below

Thanks Prof. Alhayany

I participated in a study focusing on pharmaceuticals in WW used for irrigation.

Article Irrigation of Treated Wastewater in Braunschweig, Germany: A...

Currently there is a EU COST network "Nereus" that focus on micropollutants including antibiotic resistance genes in wastewater reuse for irrigation.

http://www.nereus-cost.eu/

https://www.researchgate.net/project/COST-Action-ES1403-New-and-emerging-challenges-and-opportunities-in-wastewater-reuse-NEREUS

Thank you for this information, I will learn about the European network to join.

Can you keep me informed of the progress of your work?

Best regards

Essaid

Professor Bilal, Just sign up to follow the project here on RG: https://www.researchgate.net/project/COST-Action-ES1403-New-and-emerging-challenges-and-opportunities-in-wastewater-reuse-NEREUS