Sewage water irrigation effects on some potentially toxic trace elements in soil and potato plants in northwestern India

Abstract

. 2000. Sewage water irrigation effects on some potentially toxic trace elements in soil and potato plants in northwestern India. Can. J. Soil Sci. 80: 465-471. Sewage water is used for irrigation to improve crop yields, but it may affect the soil and crop quality. The effects of discharging the effluents of a leather complex on the concentrations of some potentially toxic elements (Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, Al, As, Cr and Ni) in sewage water and the effects of irrigation with contaminated sewage water on the concentrations of these elements in soils and in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) leaves and tubers were studied near Jalandhar city, Punjab, in northwestern India. Two treatments were 10 yr of irrigation with 300 mm of sewage water + 300 mm of ground water per annum (SW) and with 600 mm of ground water per annum (GW). Soils of the study fields were Typic Ustochripts with sandy to loamy sand texture. The concentrations of all elements except As increased following the addition of leather complex effluents in the sewage water, with the biggest increase in the concentration of Cr (from 2.7 mg to 14.0 mg Cr L -1 ). The SW treatment increased concentrations of all elements in soil except As, and the increase was significant to 60 cm depth for Fe, Mn, Zn, Al and Ni and to 30 cm depth for Cu and Cr. Irrigation with SW also increased the concentrations of these elements in potato leaves and tubers and the increase was generally higher in leaves than in tubers. The proportional increase of Cu, Fe, Zn and Al was less in plants than in soils, that of Mn and Cr was almost similar in plants and in soil, and that of Ni was more in plants than in soil. These elements, which accumulate in soils and crops, may become health hazards to humans and/or animals. Therefore, continued monitoring of the concentrations of potentially toxic elements in soil and plants and/or treatment of sewage water before using for irrigation is needed.

Distribution of soil fractions of zinc and its uptake by potatoes, maize, wheat and barley after soil amendment by sludge and inorganic Zn salt

“…But the soil used in their experiment contained between 640 and 693 mg Zn/kg of dry matter. Brar et al (2000) analysed haulms and tubers of potatoes grown in the field (Cambisols) irrigated with water contaminated by trace elements. Their experimental results showed different dynamics of zinc uptake during vegetation and efforts of plants to protect chosen parts against negative effects of higher Zn concentrations.…”

Interrelationships of Heavy Metals Macro and Micronutrients, and Properties of a Soil Cultivated with Brassica oleracea var. italica (Broccoli), Under the Effect of Treated Municipal Wastewater

“…Thus, on a long term basis, the TMWW reuse may contribute to the accumulation of these nutrients, and especially heavy metals in the soil, with all possible adverse effects on plants, humans and animals (Yadav et al 2002;Brar et al 2000;Gupta et al 1998;Som et al 1994;Pescod 1992;Feign et al 1991).…”

Impact of Sewage and Industrial Effluents on Soil-Plant Health

“…Mitra & Gupta (1999) has reported that the contents of heavy metals in sewage irrigated radish, gourd, spinach and cauliflower around Calcutta were comparatively 2 to 40 times higher than the non-sewage irrigated vegetables. Brar et al (2000) also reported higher accumulation of metals in leaves and tubers of potato grown on sewage irrigated soils as compared with ground water irrigated soils. Leafy vegetables and root crops are known to accumulate higher amounts of heavy metals than grain crops.…”

“…The concentrations of heavy metals at all the locations increased with the sewage water irrigation. Gupta et al (1986) and Narwal et al (1993) found that the application of sewage water on agricultural land for long period increased the total content of Zn, Mn, Cu, Pb, Ni and Cd in soils of Haryana ( TW -Tube well-irrigated soil, SW -Sewage-irrigated soil Source (Brar et al, 2000;Narwal et al, 1993Narwal et al, , 2002Singh & Kansal, 1985b) Source (Gupta et al, 1986(Gupta et al, , 1998Narwal et al, 1993) Build up of heavy metals in sewage water irrigated soils at other cities has also been reported. Mitra & Gupta (1997) has reported 143 times more accumulation of Cd in sewage effluent irrigated soils around Calcutta over non-sewage irrigated soils, followed by Zn (47 times), Pb (18.5 times), Cr (5.6 times), Co (3.9 times), Cu (3.6 times), Fe (2.4 times) and Ni (2.3 times).…”