Impact Of Long-term Irrigation Research Articles

Impact of long-term irrigation with municipal reclaimed wastewater on the uptake and degradation of organic contaminants in lettuce and leek

A two years drip irrigation of lettuce and leek crops with treated municipal wastewater without and with spiking with fourteen wastewater relevant contaminants at 10 μg/L concentration level was conducted under greenhouse cultivation conditions to investigate their potential accumulation in soil and leaves and to assess human health related risks. Lettuce and leek crops were selected as a worse-case scenario since leafy green vegetable has a high potential for organic contaminants uptake. The results revealed limited accumulation of contaminants in soil and plant leaves, their concentration levels being in the range of 1–30 ng/g and 1–660 ng/g range in soil and leaves, respectively. This was likely related to abiotic and biotic transformation or simply binding processes in soil, which limited contaminants plant uptake. This assumption was underpinned by studies of the enantiomeric fractionation of chiral compounds (e.g. climbazole and metoprolol) in soil as pieces of evidence of biodegradation and by the identification of transformation products or metabolites in leaves by means of liquid chromatography - high resolution - mass spectrometry using a suspect screening workflow. The high bioconcentration factors were not limited to compounds with intermediate Dow (100 to 1000) such as carbamazepine but also observed for hydrophilic compounds such as clarithromycin, hydrochlorothiazide and the food additives acesulfame and sucralose. This result assumed that accumulation was not only driven by passive processes (e.g. lipoidal diffusion through lipid bilayer cell membranes or Casparian strip) but might be supported by carrier-mediated transporters. As a whole, this study confirmed earlier reports on the a de minimis human health risk related to the consumption of raw leafy green vegetable irrigated with domestic TWW containing organic contaminants residues.

River water irrigation with heavy metal load influences soil biological activities and risk factors

The Yamuna is one of the most polluted rivers in India and the land adjacent to river flowing through Delhi city is widely irrigated with its water for growing various food crops. Present study was undertaken to assess the heavy metal load in Yamuna water and surrounding soils of the river bank and its impact on soil enzyme activities. Long term impact of irrigation by Yamuna water on the activities of various soil enzymes namely dehydrogenase (DHA), urease (UA), fluroscein diacetate (FDA), aryl sulphatase (ASA), nitrate reductase (NRA), microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and potentially mineralizable nitrogen (PMN) were assessed. The sensitivity of soil enzymes to heavy metals were observed as DHA>UA>ASA>NRS. Total organic carbon, easily oxidisable soil organic carbon, available phosphorus and available potassium in different sites varied significantly. Total heavy metal contents in soils showed a decreasing order: Fe>Mn>Zn>Cr>Ni>Cu>Pb>Co>As>Cd and the DTPA extractable heavy metal contents followed the order: Mn>Cu>Pb>Zn >Fe>Ni>Cd>Cr>Co>As. Potential ecological risk factors (Er) were under low risk and comprehensive potential ecological risk indices (Ri) were found to be under low, moderate and high risk categories. Copper (Cu) is the main pollutant contributing considerable load to Ri. From (Ri) principal component analysis and cluster analysis, it is evident that the Okhla site (S8) is most contaminated. The water from Yamuna river needs to be cautiously used for growing various food crops on land adjacent to the river as its long-term usage might cross the permissible limits of heavy metals in the soil.

The long-term impact of irrigation on selected soil properties and grain production

A sustainable agricultural system depends on good soil quality and crop performance. However, information is limited about the influence of long-term irrigation schedules on soil properties and crop performance on fields without crop residue incorporation or machine tillage. In this study, we investigated the changes of soil bulk density (BD), saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat), water-stable aggregate, soil organic matter (SOM), and total nitrogen (TN) at the depths of 0 to 5, 5 to 10, 10 to 20, and 20 to 40 cm relative to different irrigation amounts based on a 17-year-long experiment in a double-cropping system with crop residue removed and manual tillage in the North China Plain. Results showed that BD increased as the irrigation amount increased. Saturated hydraulic conductivity reached a maximum level at a moderate irrigation level. Irrigation timing also affected soil BD and Ksat. Water-stable aggregates did not show consistent trends. Soil organic matter and TN showed similar decreasing trends with increased irrigation amount. No significant relationships were found between soil physical properties and grain yield. However, SOM did affect crop production significantly. Overall, results indicated that continuous irrigation without crop residue return negatively affected soil properties and crop performance. Soil quality and crop production may benefit from a reasonable irrigation strategy and the return of crop residue to the field.

Impact of Long-Term Irrigation with Treated Sewage on Soil Magnetic Susceptibility and Organic Matter Content in North China.

This study assessed the effect on magnetic susceptibility and organic matter content of arable soil by irrigation with either treated sewage or groundwater. Results indicated that organic matter and magnetic susceptibility values in the soil irrigated with sewage were increased by 7.1 % and 13.5 %, respectively, compared to agricultural soil that irrigated with groundwater. Both the sewage and groundwater irrigated soils contained a significant fraction of ultrafine superpara magnetic grains, as indicated by high frequency dependent susceptibility (χfd > 6 %). The enhancement of soil magnetic properties was determined to be caused by anthropogenic sewage irrigation and agrochemical use by investigation of vertical soil profiles. Magnetic susceptibility parameters were shown to be significantly correlated with organic matter content (y = 0.0057x + 1.3439, R(2) = 0.09, p < 0.05). This work indicates that measurements of magnetic susceptibility may offer a rapid first step for identifying the potential pollution in arable soils.

Evaluation of historical nitrate sources in groundwater and impact of current irrigation practices on groundwater quality

Large-scale agricultural activities cause deterioration of groundwater resources throughout the world. This study focuses on the irrigated agricultural district of Jinghuiqu in Shaanxi, China. The objectives are to identify the main sources and processes that control nitrate transport, and to assess the impact of long-term irrigation practices on nitrate leaching. The hydrogeochemistry of major solute constituents and stable isotope ratios of NO3 − in groundwater were used to identify historical sources of contamination and transformation processes occurring in the shallow groundwater of the Jinghuiqu irrigation district. The N-NO3 − concentrations in groundwater ranged from 0.0 to more than 100 mg L−1 in April 1990, and from 0.47 to 42.0 mg L−1 in December 2009. Our measurements of N-NO3 − show that the main reasons for this dramatic decline in N-NO3 − concentrations from 1990 to 2009 are denitrification, which controls nitrogen types, together with the sharp decline of the groundwater table. The isotope ratios in collected samples showed that the source of nitrate was mainly manure, a result that corresponds with historical data showing that manure was the main nitrate source before the 1980s, and that fertilizers became dominant thereafter. A numerical model was then used to evaluate future impacts of current irrigation practices on groundwater sources. The HYDRUS-1D model was employed first to evaluate the water movement and the N-NO3 − solute transport for a single irrigation pulse experiment carried out under field conditions, and then in evaluating the long-term impact of irrigation on N-NO3 − leaching. Simulations showed that, after introducing irrigation, the downward drainage fluxes of N-NO3 −, and the N-NO3 − and N-tot concentrations increased at all depths within the 2-m soil profile. This indicates that N concentrations below 1-m depth and in the groundwater could become even more elevated with increased future irrigation. Editor D. Koutsoyiannis Citation Liu, X.-H., Sun, S.-J., Ji, P., and Šimůnek, J., 2013. Evaluation of historical nitrate sources in groundwater and impact of current irrigation practices on groundwater quality. Hydrological Sciences Journal, 58 (1), 1–15.

Long-term impact of irrigation with olive mill wastewater on aggregate properties in the top soil

Olive mill wastewater (OMW) is the main waste product generated by the olive oil extraction process. The uncontrolled disposal of OMW is becoming a serious environmental problem. The objective of this study was to investigate the long-term effects of OMW irrigation on soil aggregate stability, on solute diffusion into aggregates and on aggregate structure formation. The soil aggregates were sampled from three sites: non-irrigated with OMW (T0) and regularly irrigated with untreated OMW for 5 (T5) and 15 (T15) years. The results showed that the regular application of OMW for 5 and 15 years increased the soil aggregate stability, as a result of a rising organic matter content of OMW sites. OMW application furthermore reduced the effective diffusion coefficient into aggregates, because the organic matter of OMW forms a coating on the aggregates and blocks the pore mouths. OMW is characterized by its adhesive behaviour that affects the aggregation and structure of the topsoil by binding micro-aggregates together to form macro-aggregates and larger pore spaces between micro-aggregates. Consequently, the use of OMW for irrigation over long time periods alters the surface layer of the soil and makes it fragmented, which may increase the risk for preferential solute transport.

Effect of long-term application of treated sewage water on heavy metal accumulation in vegetables grown in Northern India

Use of industrial and wastewater for irrigation is on the rise in India and other developing countries because of scarcity of good-quality irrigation water. Wastewaters contain plant nutrients that favour crop growth but leave a burden of heavy metals which can enter the food chain and is a cause of great concern. The present study was undertaken on the long-term impact of irrigation with treated sewage water for growing vegetables and the potential health risk associated with consumption of such vegetable. Treated sewage water (TSW), groundwater (GW), soil and plant samples were collected from peri urban vegetable growing areas of Northern India (Varanasi) and analysed to assess the long-term effect of irrigation with TSW on Cd, Cr, Ni and Pb build-up in soils and its subsequent transfer into commonly grown vegetable crops. Results indicate that TSW was richer in essential plant nutrients but contained Cd, Cr and Ni in amounts well above the permissible limits for its use as irrigation water. Long-term application of TSW resulted in significant build-up of total and DTPA extractable Cd, Cr, Ni and Pb over GW irrigated sites. TSW also resulted in slight lowering in pH, increase in organic carbon (1.6 g kg(-1)) and cation exchange capacity (5.2 cmol kg(-1)). The tissue metal concentration and relative efficiency of transfer of heavy metals from soil to plant (transfer factor) for various groups of vegetables were worked out. Radish, turnip and spinach were grouped as hyper accumulator of heavy metals whereas brinjal and cauliflower accumulated less heavy metals. Health risk assessment by consumption of vegetables grown with TSW indicated that all the vegetables were safe for human consumption. However, significant accumulation of these heavy metals in soil and plant needs to be monitored.

Effects of long-term irrigation with treated wastewater. Part II: Role of organic carbon on Cu, Pb and Cr behaviour

Abstract The long-term impact of irrigation on a Mediterranean sandy soil irrigated with treated wastewater (TWW) since 1980 was evaluated. The main soil properties (CEC, pH, size distribution, exchangeable cations and chloride, hydraulic conductivity) as well as the organic matter and Cu, Cr and Pb speciation in an irrigated soil and a non-irrigated control soil at various soil depths were monitored and compared during a 2 year experiment. In this second part, we focused on Cu, Cr and Pb behaviour in relation with soil organic carbon (SOC). Soil samples were collected every 3 months during 2 years at the depths 0–20, 20–40 and 40–60 cm and were analysed for exchangeable and total metals, organic carbon content, metal sequential extraction and humic substances – Humic Acids (HA), Fulvic Acids (FA) and Non-Humified Fraction (NHF). Long-term irrigation with a domestic treated wastewater (TWW) may be considered safe with regard to trace metal accumulation in soil. Irrigation lowered the HA and NHF fractions of SOC and made the FA fraction more mobile. Cu bound preferentially to the SOC fraction, Cr was found mainly in the reducible fraction and Pb was bound to all fractions indiscriminately. Cu exhibited a high affinity for the HA fraction, while Pb and Cr had a high affinity for the FA fraction, which indicates a greater mobility of the organically-bound Pb and Cr than of the organically-bound Cu. Evaluation of the potential metal mobility has to take into account not only the usual speciation between labile, reducible and oxidisable fractions, but also the nature of the SOC responsible for the oxidisable fraction.

Effects of long-term irrigation with treated wastewater. Part I: Evolution of soil physico-chemical properties

Abstract The long-term impact of irrigation on a Mediterranean sandy soil irrigated with Treated wastewater (TWW) since 1980 was evaluated. The main soil properties (CEC, pH, size distribution, exchangeable cations and chloride, hydraulic conductivity) as well as the organic matter and Cu, Cr and Pb speciation in an irrigated soil and a non-irrigated control soil at various soil depths were monitored and compared during a 2 years experiment. In this first part, the evolution of the physico-chemical soil properties was described. The irrigation with TWW was beneficial with regard to water and nutrient supplying. All the exchangeable cations other than K + were higher in the irrigated soil than in the reference one. A part of the exchangeable cations was not fixed on the exchange complex but stored as labile salts or in concentrated soil solution. Despite the very sandy soil texture, both saturated and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity exhibited a significant diminution in the irrigated soil, but remained high enough to allow water percolation during rainy periods and subsequent leaching of accumulated salts, preventing soil salinization. In the irrigated soil, exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) exhibited high values (20% on average) and the soil organic C was lower than in the reference. No significant effect was noticed on soil mineralogical composition due to irrigation.

Effect of irrigation on soil salinity profiles along the Lower Vaal River, South Africa

The impact of long-term irrigation on semi-arid soils along the Lower Vaal River in central South Africa was assessed. Irrigated sandy and clayey soils representative of relatively homogeneous agro-ecosystems were sampled at 200 mm intervals to a depth of 2 m wherever possible. To serve as a reference, adjacent virgin soils were sampled wherever possible. All the samples were analysed for common salinity indicators. Soils irrigated for more than 20 years with water varying in electrical conductivity (EC) from 52 to 74 mS·m-1 and sodium adsorption ration (SAR) of < 5 reacted differently. Salts were generally less and more evenly distributed in the virgin profiles than in their irrigated equivalents. In the irrigated clayey soil at Spitskop the salt content increased with depth. In the irrigated sandy soil at Vaalharts maximum salt accumulation occurred above the water table, whereas in the centre pivot irrigated sandy soil at Wildeklawer it occurred at 400 to 800 mm depth. In the latter case the salt accumulation is linked to water uptake by crops probably due to limited water application. In the irrigated sandy soil at Zandbult salt accumulation at 1 100 mm depth was linked to a period of irrigation with low quality water. In spite of a general increase in salinity the soils were not physically severely degraded. Where water tables occurred in sands the salinity reached levels where it will affect sensitive crops. In the Spitskopdam clay soil it reached levels affecting tolerant crops. However, the accumulated salt load varied between sand and clay soils and improved irrigation scheduling practices that do not allow additional water for salt leaching; this may lead to increased salinity and degradation of the irrigated soils.Keywords: primary salinity, secondary salinity, water logged

Long-term impact of irrigation with sewage effluents on heavy metal content in soils, crops and groundwater—a case study

There is a gradual decline in availability of fresh water to be used for irrigation in India. As a consequence, the use of sewage and other industrial effluents for irrigating agricultural lands is on the rise particularly in peri-urban areas of developing countries. On the other hand, there is increasing concern regarding the exceedance of statutory and advisory food standards for trace metals throughout the world. Hence, a case study was undertaken to assess the long-term effect of sewage irrigation on heavy metal content in soils, plants and groundwater. For this purpose, peri-urban agricultural lands under Keshopur Effluent Irrigation Scheme (KEIS) of Delhi, India were selected where various cereals, millets, vegetable and fodder crops have successfully been grown. Sewage effluents, ground water, soil and plant samples were collected and analysed mainly for metal contents. Results indicated that sewage effluents contained much higher amount of P, K, S, Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn and Ni compared to groundwater. While, there was no significant variation in Pb and Cd concentrations in these two sources of irrigation water and metal content were within the permissible limits for its use as irrigation water. There was an increase in organic carbon content ranging from 38 to 79% in sewage-irrigated soils as compared to tubewell water-irrigated ones. On an average, the soil pH dropped by 0.4 unit as a result of sewage irrigation. Sewage irrigation for 20 years resulted into significant build-up of DTPA-extractable Zn (208%), Cu (170%), Fe (170%), Ni (63%) and Pb (29%) in sewage-irrigated soils over adjacent tubewell water-irrigated soils, whereas Mn was depleted by 31%. Soils receiving sewage irrigation for 10 years exhibited significant increase in Zn, Fe, Ni and Pb, while only Fe in soils was positively affected by sewage irrigation for 5 years. Among these metals, only Zn in some samples exceeded the phytotoxicity limit. Fractionation study indicated relatively higher build-up of Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn in bioavailable pools of sewage-irrigated soils. By and large, tissue metal concentrations in all the crops were below the generalized critical levels of phytotoxicity. Based on the soil to plant transfer ratio (transfer factor) of metals, relative efficiency of some cereals, millet and vegetable crops to absorb metals from sewage and tubewell water-irrigated soils was worked out. Risk assessment in respect of metal contents in some vegetable crops grown on these sewage-irrigated soils indicated that these vegetables can be consumed safely by human.

Impact on soil hydraulic properties resulting from irrigating saline–sodic soils with low salinity water

Irrigation-induced salinity is a serious problem facing irrigated areas in the Murray–Darling Basin of Australia. Groundwater pumping with farm re-use for irrigation is a key strategy for controlling salinity in these irrigation areas. However, the re-use of highly saline–sodic groundwater for irrigation leads to accumulation of sodium in the soil profile and can result in sodic soils. Leaching of saline–sodic soils by winter rainfall and low salinity irrigation waters are 2 management scenarios likely to exacerbate sodicity problems. Characteristic to sodic soils is poor soil structure and potentially reduced soil permeability. Two indicators of soil permeability are infiltration rate and hydraulic conductivity. A replicated plot experiment was conducted to examine the long-term impact of irrigation with saline–sodic water on soil permeability. High levels of soil sodicity (ESP up to 45%) resulted from 10 years of saline irrigation. Over this period, leaching by winter rainfall did not result in long-term impacts on soil hydraulic properties. Measured soil hydraulic properties increased linearly with the salinity of the applied irrigation water. Leaching by irrigating with low salinity water for 13 months decreased soil salinity and sodicity in the topsoil. The resulting reduction in steady-state infiltration indicates soil structural decline of the topsoil. This trial shows that groundwater re-use on pasture will result in high sodium levels in the soil. Sodicity-related soil structural problems are unlikely to develop where there is consistent groundwater irrigation of pasture. However, structural decline of these soils is likely following the cessation of groundwater re-use.

The Impact of Long-Term Irrigation on Changes of Ground Water Level and Soil Salinity in Northern Tunisia

The irrigated area of Kalaat Landelous in northern Tunisia is an example of the successful reclamation of 3000 ha of soils affected by shallow ground water levels and salinization. Examination of soil conditions at three key periods during reclamation reveals the reasons for this success. Aspects of irrigation management define these periods, during which measurements were taken of the depth and salinity of ground water over 43 years. An overall salt balance for the irrigated areas was made in order to estimate the risk of salinization. The results reveal a lowering of the ground water level (average depth was 1 m and will be 1.6 m), desalinization of the soils (average electrolytic conductivity of the soil was 0.8 Sm -1 and will be 0.55 m -1 ), and dilution of the salt content of the ground water (average electrolytic conductivity of ground water was 3 Sm -1 and will be 1.4 Sm -1 ). A reduction in the variability of saline conditions was also observed. The salt balance shows a large amount of salt exported from the area, between 22,000 and 66,000 Mg, and only small areas of new salinization have appeared as a result of irrigation. Ultimately, the sustainability of the project depends upon the performance of the drainage network and on the abundance of the rainfall. If drainage is efficient, soil salinity will be maintained below wheat, corn, tomato, pepper, and alfalfa tolerance limits.