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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Nutrients and Nonessential Elements in Soil after 11 Years of Wastewater Irrigation

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Author(s):
Faria Pereira, B. F. [1, 2] ; He, Zhenli [1] ; Stoffella, Peter J. [1] ; Montes, Celia R. [3] ; Melfi, Adolpho J. [4] ; Baligar, Virupax C. [5]
Total Authors: 6
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Florida, Inst Food & Agr Sci, Indian River Res & Educ Ctr, Ft Pierce, FL 34945 - USA
[2] Univ Fed Amazonas, Fac Ciencias Agr, Manaus, AM - Brazil
[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Ctr Nucl Energy Agr, BR-13416903 Sao Paulo - Brazil
[4] Univ Sao Paulo, BR-13418900 Sao Paulo - Brazil
[5] USDA ARS, Beltsville Agr Res Ctr, Beltsville, MD 20705 - USA
Total Affiliations: 5
Document type: Journal article
Source: JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY; v. 41, n. 3, p. 920-927, MAY-JUN 2012.
Web of Science Citations: 15
Abstract

Irrigation of citrus (Citrus aurantium L. x Citrus paradise Macf.) with urban reclaimed wastewater (RWW) can be economical and conserve fresh water. However, concerns remain regarding its deleterious effects on soil quality. We investigated the ionic speciation (ISP) of RWW and potential impacts of 11 yr of irrigation with RWW on soil quality, compared with well-water (WW) irrigation. Most of nutrients (similar to 53-99%) in RWW are free ionic species and readily available for plant uptake, such as: NH4+, NO3-, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, SO42-, H3BO3, Cl-, Fe2+, Mn2+, Zn2+, Co2+, and Ni2+, whereas more than about 80% of Cu, Cr, Pb, and Al are complexed with CO3-, OH-, and/or organic matter. The RWW irrigation increased the availability and total concentrations of nutrients and nonessential elements, and soil salinity and sodicity by two to three times compared with WW-irrigated soils. Although RWW irrigation changed many soil parameters, no difference in citrus yield was observed. The risk of negative impacts from RWW irrigation on soil quality appears to be minimal because of: (i) adequate quality of RWW, according to USEPA limits; (ii) low concentrations of metals in soil after 11 yr of irrigation with RWW; and (iii) rapid leaching of salts in RWW-irrigated soil during the rainy season. (AU)