Impact of Post-Methanation Distillery Effluent Irrigation on Groundwater Quality

Abstract

Molasses-based distilleries generate large quantities of effluent, which is used for irrigation in many countries including India. The effluent is rich in organic and inorganic ions, which may leach down and pollute the groundwater. An on-farm experiment was conducted to assess the impact of long-term irrigation with post-methanation distillery effluent (PMDE) on nitrate, sulphate, chloride, sodium, potassium, and magnesium contents in the groundwater of two sites in northwest India. Electrical conductivity (EC), pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) and colour were also determined to assess the chemical load in the groundwater. Nitrate content in the groundwater samples ranged from 16.95 mg L(-1) in the unamended fields to 59.81 mg L(-1) in the PMDE-amended fields during the 2-year study (2001-2002). Concentrations of TDS in water samples from tubewell of the amended field was higher by 40.4% over the tubewell water of the unamended field. Colour of the water samples of the amended fields was also darker than that of the unamended fields. The study indicated that the organic and inorganic ions added through the effluent could pose a serious threat to the groundwater quality if applied without proper monitoring.

Monitoring of Impact of Ferti‐irrigation by Post‐methanated Distillery Effluent on Groundwater Quality

“…In the present study, TDS ranged between 180 and 621 mg/L, which was well within the permissible limit, i.e. 1000 mg/L [10], showing conformity with the observation of Jain et al [13]. The value of EC ranged from 150 to 844 mS/cm in overall analysis, indicating the presence of electrolytes, which further confirmed the presence of cations (Fe 2þ , Zn 2þ , K þ , Na þ , Ca 2þ , and Mg 2þ ) and anions (Cl À , SO 4 2À , and NO 3 À ).…”

Distillery spent wash: Treatment technologies and potential applications

“…Table 1 Characteristics of untreated and anaerobically treated distillery effluent [13,14] Application of distillery effluent to soil without proper monitoring, perilously affects the groundwater quality by altering its physicochemical properties such as color, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), etc. due to leaching down of the organic and inorganic ions [23].…”

Combined Treatment of Vinasse by an Upflow Anaerobic Filter-Reactor and Ozonation Process

“…The fertilization/irrigation technique is currently questioned due to the negative impacts of its long-term application on the soil and groundwater. Environmental impact studies have been conducted on the effects of using raw or digested vinasse for irrigation on the properties of soil and groundwater (Lyra et al, 2003;Jain et al, 2005;Biswas et al, 2009;Hati et al, 2007;Fuess and Garcia, 2014). The main effects of vinasse treatment on the characteristics of soil were improving its physical structure, carbon content, aggregate stability, cationic exchange capacity (CIC) and microbial activity (Biswas et al, 2009, Hati et al, 2007.…”

“…The main problems that have been identified were the increment of electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS) and ion concentrations (Lyra et al, 2003;Jain et al, 2005;Hati et al, 2007). Vinasse discharge into bodies of water affected the aquatic biota due to the diminishment of the level of dissolved oxygen in the water that occurred as the organic matter degraded.…”