Effects of urban wastewater on accumulation of heavy metals in soil and corn (Zea mays L.) with sprinkler irrigation method

Abstract

As a result of urbanization, urban wastewater has increased fast, so reusing urban wastewater has become a research topic for a long time. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of urban wastewater on accumulation of heavy metals in soil and com (Zea mays L.) with sprinkler irrigation method. Soil samplings of 0 to 10 cm depth were taken. Corn was transplanted in these soils. The experiment consisted of two treatments including soil irrigation with water by SI system (Sprinkler Irrigation) (T1) and soil irrigation with wastewater by SI system (T2). Soil properties such as soil reaction (pH), Electrical Conductivity (EC), Organic Matter (OM), Extractable Fe, Manganese (Mn), Nickel (Ni) and Cadmium (Cd) were measured. After 40 days, samples were taken for testing. In this study, the concentrations of extractable Fe, Mn, Cd and Ni (ppm) in soil under T1 treatment were 2.44, 1.76, 0.08 and 0.36 but they (ppm) in soil under T2 treatment were 2.56, 1.90, 0.11 and 0.45, respectively. In the corn under the treatments, the concentrations of extractable Fe, Mn, Cd and Ni (ppm) in shoots under T1 treatment were 1.112, 0.362, 0 and 0 but they (ppm) in shoots under T2 treatment were 2.217, 0.924, 0.011 and 0.016, respectively. These results showed that the urban wastewater caused increase of DTP A-extractable iron, manganese, cadmium and nickel in soil and corn with sprinkler irrigation method. Accumulation of these metals in shoots was more important than in roots in SI system. © 2011 Asian Network for Scientific Information.