Influence of Zeolite Application on Soil Infiltrated with Sewage Effluent

Abstract

A laboratory-based soil column study was undertaken to assess the influence of zeolite application on soil treated with sewage effluent. Seven treatments, varying in zeolite proportions (T1=0.25%, T2=0.50%, T3=0.75%, T4=1.00%, T5=1.25%, T6=1.50%, and T7=control without zeolite), were replicated three times for the experiment. Analysis of leachate and residual soil after the experiment included parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic carbon (OC), available nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Results indicated a significant increase in soil pH, EC, organic carbon, available nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium with zeolite application. Leachate from the control column exhibited the highest values for pH (7.74), EC (190.33 µScm-1), BOD (34.33 mg L-1), COD (72.67 mg L-1), nitrate-N (40.23 mg L-1), phosphorus (5.96 mg L-1), and potassium (12.31 mg L-1), differing significantly from leachate collected from treatment columns.