Abstract
The environmental impact of irrigating a maize field with weathered olive mill wastewater (OMW) for 5 years was assessed. The use of the weathered OMW added the following concentrations of nutrients to the field: 11.8. t/ha/yr carbon, 1033. kg/ha/yr total nitrogen, 23.8. kg/ha/yr phosphorous and 4161. kg/ha/yr potassium. The maize field received 6 times more nitrogen, 50 times more potassium and 2 times less phosphorous than the recommended fertilization rates. The presence of carbon increased microbial activity for organic nitrogen breakdown and the decomposition rate of organic nitrogen. No significant increase was observed of heavy metal accumulation in the soil. Electrical conductivity in the soil remained below the salinization threshold. No direct exposure values were exceeded. No impact on groundwater quality was observed. Irrigation of crops like maize with weathered OMW could be part of a viable decentralized solution for olive mill wastewater use in areas with low organic matter and high irrigation demand.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1125-1132 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | Agricultural Water Management |
| Volume | 98 |
| Issue number | 7 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - May 15 2011 |
Keywords
- Environmental impacts
- Marginal water
- Non-conventional fertilization
- Water scarcity
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Agronomy and Crop Science
- Soil Science
- Water Science and Technology
- Earth-Surface Processes