Wastewater Effluents from a Tannery: Their Effects on Soil and Vegetation in Pakistan

Sheikh, Khalid Hamid; Irshad, Muhammad

doi:10.1017/s0376892900008146

Cited by 13 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 1 publication

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“…In peri-urban regions of Pakistan, vegetables and crops are frequently irrigated by wastewater without any primary treatment due to the non-availability of fresh water [ 195 , 196 , 197 , 198 , 199 ]. In different areas of Lahore-Pakistan, the continuous use of wastewater for irrigation in the agricultural areas has caused a buildup of highly toxic metals compared to the soil irrigated by groundwater [ 173 ].…”

Section: The Effect Of Wastewater On Potentially Toxic Elements Inmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Review of Environmental Contamination and Health Risk Assessment of Wastewater Use for Crop Irrigation with a Focus on Low and High-Income Countries

Khalid

Shahid

Natasha

et al. 2018

IJERPH

308

105

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Population densities and freshwater resources are not evenly distributed worldwide. This has forced farmers to use wastewater for the irrigation of food crops. This practice presents both positive and negative effects with respect to agricultural use, as well as in the context of environmental contamination and toxicology. Although wastewater is an important source of essential nutrients for plants, many environmental, sanitary, and health risks are also associated with the use of wastewater for crop irrigation due to the presence of toxic contaminants and microbes. This review highlights the harmful and beneficial impacts of wastewater irrigation on the physical, biological, and chemical properties of soil (pH, cations and anions, organic matter, microbial activity). We delineate the potentially toxic element (PTEs) build up in the soil and, as such, their transfer into plants and humans. The possible human health risks associated with the use of untreated wastewater for crop irrigation are also predicted and discussed. We compare the current condition of wastewater reuse in agriculture and the associated environmental and health issues between developing and developed countries. In addition, some integrated sustainable solutions and future perspectives are also proposed, keeping in view the regional and global context, as well as the grounded reality of wastewater use for crop production, sanitary and planning issues, remedial techniques, awareness among civil society, and the role of the government and the relevant stakeholders.

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Section: The Effect Of Wastewater On Potentially Toxic Elements Inmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Review of Environmental Contamination and Health Risk Assessment of Wastewater Use for Crop Irrigation with a Focus on Low and High-Income Countries

Khalid

Shahid

Natasha

et al. 2018

IJERPH

308

105

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“…Sodium was reduced due to improvement in some physical properties of the soil through an enhancement of soil structural stability, porosity, hydraulic conductivity and drainage (Quirk & Schofield 1955;McNeal et al 1968;Giovannini & Sequi 1976;Acharya & Abrol 1978;Goldberg et al 1988). Kallar grass and other plants grown effectively ameliorates saline sodic soils (Zaidi et al 1968;Sheikh & Irshad 1980).…”

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confidence: 99%

Amelioration of a saline sodic soil through cultivation of a salt-tolerant grass Leptochloa fusca

et al. 2003

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Reclamation of saline lands seems difficult for climatic and economic reasons, but cultivation of salt-tolerant plants is an approach to increasing productivity and improvement of salt-affected wastelands. A five-year field study was conducted to evaluate the effects of growing a salt-tolerant species Leptochloa fusca (L.) Kunth (kallar grass) on chemical properties of a saline sodic soil irrigated with poor quality groundwater. Soil salinity, sodicity and pH decreased exponentially by growing kallar grass as a result of leaching of salts from surface (0–20 cm) to lower depths (>100 cm). Concentrations of soluble cations (Na+, K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+) and anions (Cl−, SO42− and HCO3−) were reduced through to greater soil depths. A significant decline in soil pH was attributed to release of CO2 by grass roots and solublization of CaCO3. Both soil salinity and soil pH were significantly correlated with Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, Cl−, HCO3− and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR). Significant correlations were found between soluble cations (Na+, Ca2+ and K+), soluble anions (Cl−, SO42− and HCO3−) and the SAR. In contrast, there were negative correlations between soil organic matter content and all chemical properties. The ameliorative effects on the soil chemical environment were pronounced after three years of growing kallar grass. Cultivation of kallar grass enhanced leaching and interactions among soil chemical properties and thus restored soil fertility. The soil maintained the improved characteristics with further growth of the grass up to five years suggesting that growing salt-tolerant plants is a sustainable approach to biological amelioration of saline wastelands.

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“…'The need for their use may not be pressing where water is plentiful and rainfall is reliable and evenly distributed. However, in those countries subject to droughts or uneven rainfall distribution these tannery liquid effluents must be considered (Bailey, 1977;Sheikh & Irshad, 1980;Barros gi Rocha, 1981; C.A. Money, CSIRO, Division of Protein Chemistry, personal communication 1986).…”

Section: Use Of the Liquids For Irrigationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Barros & Rocha (1981) used tannery wastewater that contained 3982 mg I-' sodium and 5048 mg I-' chloride and found that even when diluted 10-fold with clean water germination and subsequent growth of cabbage, tomato and melon were severely reduced. Sheikh & Irshad (1980) irrigated rice and mustard seeds with a 30% {concentration of tannery water that contained 107 meq l-' sodium and 93 meq 1F' chloride and measured 70-80% germination.…”

Section: Use Of the Liquids For Irrigationmentioning

confidence: 99%

The disposal of leather tannery wastes by land treatment—a review

Hughes

1988

Soil Use and Management

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Abstract. People in rural areas have disposed of their wastes on land for centuries, relying on the soil's ability to degrade and render harmless any toxic elements the wastes may contain. Leather tanneries produce a large amount of sludge and liquid wastes. The liquids contain much sodium and in most circumstances adversely affect both the soil and groundwater. However, in some countries they are used for irrigation. The sludges contain nitrogen, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, trivalent chromium and some sodium. Given careful management these sludges can be used as soil amendments, either directly or after composting. Application rates of about 200 tonnes ha−1 have proved toxic to crops in pot trials, though larger applications than this have not adversely affected crops in the field. Much smaller rates, of less than 20 tonnes ha−1, have been used in the field to minimize nitrate contamination of groundwater. The effects of CrIII depend on complex interactions between the sludge, the soil to which it is added and the plant species grown. Safe limits for the disposal of the sludges and their long term effects are not known.

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Wastewater Effluents from a Tannery: Their Effects on Soil and Vegetation in Pakistan

Cited by 13 publications

References 1 publication

A Review of Environmental Contamination and Health Risk Assessment of Wastewater Use for Crop Irrigation with a Focus on Low and High-Income Countries

A Review of Environmental Contamination and Health Risk Assessment of Wastewater Use for Crop Irrigation with a Focus on Low and High-Income Countries

Amelioration of a saline sodic soil through cultivation of a salt-tolerant grass Leptochloa fusca

The disposal of leather tannery wastes by land treatment—a review

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