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, 2007February, -2008February, and 2008February, -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 (DW 1 , DW 2 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 DW 1 and DW 2 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 DW 1 site compared to DW 2 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.

Effect of wastewater and compost on leaching nutrients of soil column under basil cultivation

“…In comparison to clean groundwater-irrigated soil and soil without any compost, wastewater-irrigated soil and soil containing compost or sewage sludge have some advantages such as: (i) more organic carbon, (ii) more available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, (iii) more crop production, (iv) better soil physical, chemical and biological properties, (v) more available water content and (vi) less erosion (Siebe, 1998;Tejada et al, 2001;Zheljazkov and Warman, 2004;Wei and Liu, 2005;Tabari and Salehi, 2009;Baldantoni et al, 2010;Jalali and Arfania, 2010;Mojiri, 2010;Singh and Agrawal, 2012).…”

Reclaimed Wastewater Quality Assessment for Irrigation and Its Mid-Time Reuse Effects on Paddy Growth and Yield under Farmer Management

“…The heavy metal pollution index (HMPI) was calculated by the following formula to show the level of contamination in water [39].…”

“…Where C i and S i are heavy metal content in a water sample and permitted standard of the same metal (μg.Lit -1 ), respectively. When the HMPI values exceed than 1.0, water is said to be contaminated by anthropogenic inputs and requires continuous environmental monitoring of the area [39].…”

“…Values obtained from different farms were treated as replicates. Samples were oven-dried separately at 80ºC until a constant weight was achieved [39]. Yield and growing traits including plant height, spike length, number of seed per spike, thousand seed weight, seed yield, biological yield and harvest index (ratio of seed yield to biological yield) were measured.…”

Effect of Water Irrigation from Different Sources on Soil and Plant Properties in Qalyubiya Governorate, Egypt

“…The periodic monitoring of the quality of this water is necessary to detect pollution flows and to restrict its environmental impacts. Singh and Agrawal (2012) reported that the long-term irrigation with waste water led to the soil pH decreased, whereas organic C, total N, available P, and exchangeable cations increased at irrigated sites as compared to the soil irrigated by clean water. Goher et al (2014) pointed out that the Ismailia canal is exposed to deterioration in its water quality because it passes through many towns and villages where some the discharged waste is thrown into the waterway.…”