Effect of irrigation with municipal wastewater on heavy metal and fecal coliform concentrations in plant and soil

Abstract

In order to investigate the effect of treated wastewater on heavy metals and fecal coliform in plant and soil, a field experiment was conducted in RCBD with three treatments in four replications during 2016-2017 in Borkhar, Isfahan (Iran). Treatments including well water, semi-treated wastewater and combination of well water and wastewater were applied in consecutive cultivation of wheat and forage corn. The amount of heavy metals in the soil did not change after two seasons of wastewater application compared to well water. The amount of fecal coliform in both plants was increased in the irrigation water treatment compared to the well water, which was more evident in the corn plant, which is related to the high moisture content of this plant at harvest stage. Due to the improvement of soil nutrient concentrations after two seasons of continuous application of wastewater and no increase in the amount of heavy metals in the soil, the use of wastewater for agricultural production is permissible. But according to the fecal coliform index, it is recommended not to be used for the production of crops harvested at high humidity and conditions for the survival of pathogens.