Abstract
Climate change, urbanization and subsequent environmental changes are depleting freshwater resources around the globe. The reuse of domestic, industrial and agricultural wastewater is an alternative approach to freshwater that can be used for irrigation purposes. However, these wastewaters may contain hazardous and toxic elements, such as heavy metals that are hazardous for human health and the environment. Therefore, an experiment was conducted to evaluate the concentration of macro, micro and heavy metals in cucumber irrigated with different resources (tap water, greywater, dairy water and wastewater). The results showed that the use of different irrigation resources has increased the level of macro (sodium (Na), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg)), microelements (zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn)), and heavy metals (copper (Cu), barium (Ba), lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd)) in cucumber leaves and fruits. However, their levels were in the range that is safe for human health and the environment was as recommended by FAO maximum values of trace elements (Zn, 2.0; Fe 1.0; Mn, 0.2; Cu, 0.2; Pb, 5.0, and Cd, 0.01 mgL−1). Based on observations, it was also revealed that among different irrigation resources, the use of dairy water in cucumber improved its agronomic attributes and maximum plant yield (1191.02 g), while the different irrigation resources showed a non-significant impact on fruit diameter. However, total soluble solid contents (TSS) were more significant in cucumber fruits treated with wastewater (2.26 °brix) followed by dairy water (2.06 °brix), while the least TSS contents (1.57 °brix) were observed in cucumber plants treated with tap water. The significance of non-conventional irrigation water use in agriculture, particularly greenhouse cucumber (Cucumis sativus) production, is discussed.
Highlights
The results revealed that the concentration of macro, micro and heavy metals was significantly different in diverse water resources
The results indicated that the use of different irrigation resources has a significant effect on the accumulation of minerals and heavy metals in fruits
It is argued that heavy metals can accumulate in plants when municipal wastewater is used for irrigation, and an excessive amount can affect residents who consume crops and/or vegetables grown in these contaminated locations [36]
Summary
Climate change has an adverse impact on water quality, water availability, food security, and human health. About 40% of the earth’s total area is comprised of arid, semiarid, and range lands [1] and nearly 50% of European countries are already facing water scarcity [2]. The amount of water required in agriculture has been tripled while the available freshwater resources are depleting, and the agriculture sector is experiencing water shortages. Almost half of the world population will be confronted with water scarcity by 2030 as the resources of freshwater are depleting day by day, and Middle East/Gulf countries will suffer severe
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