2008
DOI: 10.2166/wst.2008.583
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Long-term impacts of pasture irrigation with treated sewage effluent on shallow groundwater quality

Abstract: The study investigated the effects of 26 years of effluent irrigation on chemical and bacteriological quality of shallow (<3.0 m) groundwater. Annual loading rates for N and P exceeded pasture requirements, while trace metals were either lower or higher than guideline limits. Effluent irrigation removed TN (44-71%), TP (80%), Cr (96%) and coliform bacteria (87-99.9%) while Zn, Cu and Cd removal was negligible probably due to their enhanced mobility. Analysis of groundwater samples from effluent-irrigated and n… Show more

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Cited by 10 publications
(3 citation statements)
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“…The significant P accumulation found in the TMW-irrigated soil poses a risk to nearby waterbodies, where an excessive concentration of this nutrient can exacerbate eutrophication. Although most of the exports of soil P to waterbodies are attributed to run-off [53], there is evidence that P from wastewater-irrigated areas can also leach in large quantities to groundwater [37,54]. In accordance with [20,37,54], the fact that we found significantly higher concentrations of P through the soil profile and down to the water table level under irrigated areas compared with non-irrigated areas demonstrated the movement of P down the soil profile.…”
Section: Exports Of Contaminants and Soil Nutrient Stockssupporting
confidence: 75%
“…The significant P accumulation found in the TMW-irrigated soil poses a risk to nearby waterbodies, where an excessive concentration of this nutrient can exacerbate eutrophication. Although most of the exports of soil P to waterbodies are attributed to run-off [53], there is evidence that P from wastewater-irrigated areas can also leach in large quantities to groundwater [37,54]. In accordance with [20,37,54], the fact that we found significantly higher concentrations of P through the soil profile and down to the water table level under irrigated areas compared with non-irrigated areas demonstrated the movement of P down the soil profile.…”
Section: Exports Of Contaminants and Soil Nutrient Stockssupporting
confidence: 75%
“…For example, high levels of total and faecal coliforms were detected in groundwater sampled from residential areas in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, probably due to leakage from sewer pipes and septic tanks (Mangore and Taigbenu 2004). Similarly, long-term application of wastewater and sludge (Gwenzi and Munondo 2008), unlined solid waste dumps and cemeteries (Hranova 2006) and on-site sanitation (e.g., pit latrines) in informal peri-urban settlements (Chidavaenzi et al 2000;Zingoni et al 2005) significantly increased the concentrations of nutrients, coliform bacteria and heavy metals in groundwater. Other case studies documenting the impacts of pit latrines on chemical and bacteriological quality of groundwater in urban and peri-urban areas are presented in a recent synthesis of global literature (Graham and Polizzotto 2013).…”
Section: Surface Water and Groundwater Contaminationmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…As is to be expected, the recourse to nonconventional water is currently widespread throughout arid and semi-arid regions, with both pros and cons (Beltrán, 1999). With respect to soil, the main problems arise from: (1) electrical conductivity (EC) and/or sodicity, particularly by saline/sodic water which can increase salt concentration and/or the proportion of Na and Mg in soil exchange sites, thereby causing the physical and physical-chemical properties of the soil to deteriorate (Guarnieri et al, 2005;Kay & Angers, 2000;Keren, 2000;Tedeschi & Dell'Aquila, 2005); and (2) the presence of nitrogen compounds such as ammonium ions, especially in sewage (Livesley et al, 2007;Gwenzi & Munondo, 2008), or organic and potentially toxic elements (PTEs) (El-Hassanin et al, 1993;Siebe, 1994;Moreira et al, 2005), with a consequent high risk of their leaching into the water table. Such considerations highlight the potentially relevant impact of sewage utilized for irrigation on the balance of ions in the soil solution and on the dynamics of exchange cations, including nutrients or noxious elements, to plants and living organisms, with possible repercussions on the environment and food chains.…”
mentioning
confidence: 99%