Potential of sewage irrigation for heavy metal contamination in soil–wheat grain system: Ecological risk and environmental fate

Batool, Fauzia; Hussain, M. Iftikhar; Nazar, Sonaina; Bashir, Humayun; Khan, Zafar Iqbal; Ahmad, Kafeel; Alnuwaiser, Maha Abdallah; Yang, Hsi-Hsien

doi:10.1016/j.agwat.2023.108144

Cited by 10 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 41 publications

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“…The previous studies and the current study have indicated contrasting results on the metal uptake by plants when irrigated by wastewater compared with groundwater, which might be related to type of plant and differences between chemical properties of water resources (Batool et al, 2023; Rehman et al, 2019; Sun et al, 2023). For instance, Batool et al (2023) found that applying wastewater instead of groundwater increased Fe, Zn, Cu, Cd, and Cr contents in the wheat grains. Additionally, Alghobar and Suresha (2015) concluded that TW increased Fe, Cr, Cu, and Pb contents in sugarcane compared with non‐saline groundwater (EC = 1.1 dS/m).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 51%

“…Moreover, difference in pH values of water resources (Table 3) can have an impact on the metal contents within plants as it negatively affects the release of heavy metals into the soil solution, consequently influencing their bioavailability for absorption by plants (Nan et al, 2002). The previous studies and the current study have indicated contrasting results on the metal uptake by plants when irrigated by wastewater compared with groundwater, which might be related to type of plant and differences between chemical properties of water resources (Batool et al, 2023;Rehman et al, 2019;Sun et al, 2023). For instance, Batool et al (2023) found that applying wastewater instead of groundwater increased Fe, Zn, Cu, Cd, and Cr contents in the wheat grains.…”

Section: Effects Of Iw On Heavy Metal Content In the Grainmentioning

confidence: 59%

“…Applying MWR instead of using each water resource alone decreased insignificantly the Zn, Fe, and Cr contents in the barley grains due to a reduction in salinity of the final water resource, which altered the grain yield, availability of metals in soil solution, and metal uptake by plant. Some studies reported an increase in the Zn, Fe, and Cr contents in the grains of wheat irrigated with a combination of wastewater with groundwater (non‐saline water or slightly saline water) compared with that irrigated with groundwater alone (Batool et al, 2023; Mussarat et al, 2021; Sun et al, 2023). Balkhair et al (2014) concluded that the plants irrigated by mixed groundwater and TW adsorbed lower Pb amounts due to the lower Pb content in groundwater compared with TW.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…González and Lobo (2013) reported similar results for barley planted in soil contaminated with heavy metals. Batool et al (2023) concluded a contradictory result, in which employing mixed wastewater and groundwater for irrigation increased the heavy metal contents in the wheat grains due to the higher metal contents in wastewater. AI instead of irrigation with saline water or TW alone led to a decrease in the Fe, Cu, Pb, and Cd contents and an increase in the Cr and Zn amounts (Figure 1 and Table 7) due to a dilution of water salinity and some metals through the soil, a reduction in soil osmotic potential, and an increase in soil nutrients.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The previous studies investigated the effect of TW diluted with non‐saline or slightly saline groundwater on the accumulation of heavy metals in soils and plants (Assouline et al, 2020; Balkhair et al, 2014; Ben Hassena et al, 2018), in which most studies have focused on the wheat grains rather than the barley grains (Batool et al, 2023; Mussarat et al, 2021; Sun et al, 2023). Additionally, based on our literature review and current knowledge, no previous studies have examined the simultaneous impacts of irrigation regime and a combination of TW and saline water on the uptake of heavy metals by barley grains.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Field study of irrigation strategies with treated wastewater and saline water on heavy metal accumulation in barley grain

Shahidi,

Khashei‐Siuki,

Bagheri

et al. 2023

Water Environment Research

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This study examines the effects of three irrigation regimes with a combination of saline water and treated wastewater on the accumulation of heavy metals in barley grains. A field experiment was designed as a split‐split plot arrangement in a randomized complete block design, in which treatments were different irrigation regimes (50, 70 and 100% full irrigation) and irrigation water types (saline water (SW), treated wastewater (TW), mixed water resources (MWR) and alternative irrigation (AI)). After cultivation and harvesting of the barley crop, the grain yield, 1000‐grain weight and contents of heavy metals in the grains were measured. The grain yield was enhanced by TW alone, MWR and AI to 12.8, 5 and 9.5% under 70%‐deficit irrigation, and 58.3, 21.7 and 8.7% under full irrigation, respectively. Based on the guidelines for safe limits of heavy metals in edible plants and livestock feed, the barley grains were safe for livestock and toxic for humans. The trend of heavy metal contents in the grains was Fe>Zn>Pb>Cu≥Cr>Cd. Irrigation with saline water compared to treated wastewater increased Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd and Cr contents in the grains to 11.75, 10.97, 5.22, 19.15, 3.45 and 9.21%, respectively. The amounts of toxic elements of Cd and Pb were maximized by using MWR, while the Cr content in the grain was maximized by using AI. There were no significant difference in the metal uptake by the grains among all irrigation regimes in any irrigation water resource. However, compared to the other irrigation regimes, the full irrigation resulted in lower Zn, Cu and Cd contents, while the 50%‐deficit irrigation led to lower Pb and Cr contents in the grains. Therefore, irrigation with TW is recommended based on the grain yield, while AI is suggested due to lower Cu, Pb and Cd contents in the grain, and MWR is recommended due to lower Cr content. Furthermore, full and 50%‐deficit irrigation regimes are recommended to respectively maximize grain yield and minimize the toxic metal contents in the grain.

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