Reuse of urban-treated wastewater from a pilot-scale horizontal subsurface flow system in Sicily (Italy) for irrigation of Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.) turf under Mediterranean climatic conditions

Abstract

Constructed wetlands (CW) are one of the most important biological technology for the treatment and reuse of wastewaters. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reuse of treated wastewater (TWW) from CW for irrigation of Bermudagrass turf (Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.) and assess the effects of TWW on the biometric and qualitative parameters of the turfgrass and on chemical–physical soil properties. The research was carried out in Sicily (Italy) in a pilot-scale horizontal subsurface flow system which was fed with urban TWW following secondary treatment from an activate sludge wastewater treatment plant. The pilot-system included three separate parallel units. The outflow TWW flowed downhill into three storage tanks which were connected to sprinkler systems. Bermudagrass plots were\ud irrigated with freshwater (FW) and with TWW from planted units and unplanted unit. The TWW quality did not affect the visual turf quality and colour. The above-ground biomass yield of Bermudagrass was on average 1.31 kg m−2 in the TWW-irrigated plots. There was not a significant variation of soil pH, but an increase in organic matter content and salinity were recorded in TWW-irrigated plots. The results confirm that TWW provides an additional water source and fertilisers where the supply of FW is limited

Effects of Irrigation with Different Sources of Water on Growth, Yield and Essential Oil Compounds in Oregano

“…This means that TWW represents an important source of N despite the removal processes carried out by plants, microorganisms and the medium in the pilot HSSFs CW. However, if we focus on the alkali metal levels in TWW in the study, we can affirm that TWW can be considered a source of macro and micronutrients, in accordance with study references [ 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 ]. Water quality was monitored using guidelines produced by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations [ 55 ] ( Table 2 ).…”

“…In areas with prolonged water shortage, as is found in the Mediterranean region, the use of treated wastewater (TWW) for combined irrigation and fertilization represents a sustainable cultivation practice also for aromatic plants. Many studies have examined the effects of TWW on horticultural and open field crops, evaluating how TWW affects plant growth and soil characteristics both in the short and long-term period [ 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 ]. Little attention has been paid to the use of TWW for the cultivation of aromatic species [ 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 ], probably due to cultural reasons related to public acceptance and bad perception of TWW reuse in agriculture [ 52 , 53 , 54 ].…”

“…Therefore, wastewater (WW) must be treated and purified with single or combined treatment systems. One of the most interesting eco-technologies in agriculture with applications from urban to agricultural and industrial WW are constructed wetland systems (CWs) [ 41 ]. However, the use of TWW obtained from CWs for the irrigation of aromatic species is not documented in the literature.…”

Constructed Wetlands as Sustainable Technology for the Treatment and Reuse of the First-Flush Stormwater in Agriculture—A Case Study in Sicily (Italy)

“…These results confirm that TWW irrigation, such as TFFSW, can decrease or even remove the need for mineral fertilization whilst maintaining a high quantitative and qualitative performance of plants. This concept was previously confirmed also for other horticultural crops [34,66,82,84] and currently should be used by farmers due to the evident economic and environmental benefits with respect to the common management of these crops. In fact, as TWW is an alternative source of water to FW for crop irrigation, it is possible to suppose that the use of TWW of different origin represents a sustainable way to manage the irrigation and fertilization of a number of crops, such as rosemary or ornamental pepper, in areas with prolonged periods of water shortages.…”

Performance of a Pilot-Scale Constructed Wetland and Medium-Term Effects of Treated Wastewater Irrigation of Arundo donax L. on Soil and Plant Parameters

“…It would contribute to a reduction in cultivation costs, in freshwater (FW) demand, the consumption of drinking water, and in the discharge of wastewater (WW) into soils and water bodies [8,[24][25][26]. As reported in several studies [3,8,[27][28][29][30], TWW is a source of mineral and organic nutrients, and its application leads to good soil fertility and productivity levels in the long-term. This increases crop yields with farmers subsequently benefiting financially from a reduction in the use of chemical fertilisers [3,25,26,30,31].…”