Research Question
There have been several researches which support the claim that the domestic wastewater retrieved from the treatment plants can be used for the purpose of agriculture. The researchers have indicated that treatment of wastewater decreases its toxicity and the water is safe enough to be used for the purpose of agriculture (Sklarz et al., 2013). The research question, on which the entire research is based, will detect the impact of the treated domestic water on the quality of the soil and its physical, microbial and chemical properties. The research question can be summarized as-
“What is the impact of domestic wastewater from treatment plants on the physical, chemical and microbial properties of the soil around treatment plants?”
It will also investigate that “Can this water be used for the irrigation purposes?”
This research aims at finding out the effect of domestic wastewater from treatment plants on soil properties. We will try to evaluate effect on physical, chemical and microbial properties of the soil around treatment plants, with the help of secondary as well as primary research techniques. This literature review will help in undertaking secondary analysis by looking upon results of different researches done by various researchers on the same topic.
Used water collected from apartments and houses is called domestic waste water, also referred to as sanitary sewage. This waste water is the residual water flushed out after performing domestic cleaning, cooking, bathing, and other household chores. Waste water is composed of 99.90% water and 0.10% solids and minerals. This 0.10% part other than water is the major cause of concern. It consists of grease, oils, and fats that come from body lotions and cooking oils; nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus, Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), and other solids. The process of waste water treatment in the treatment plants partially removes the solids present in the waste water and partially decomposes complex solids into minerals or less complex organic solids (EPA, 2009).
Waste water is treated chemically, physically, as well as biologically in the treatment plant. Physical processes involve removal of solid impurities through filtration, sedimentation, aeration, screening, etc. Chemical processes involve treatments such as ozonation, chlorination, coagulation, etc. Biological processes involve aerobic treatments like trickling filtration and activated sludge treatment as well as anaerobic treatments such as lagoons and septic tanks. The residual water after passing through the septic tank moves to the drain field and get into the soil. As this whole process of waste water treatment take place in underground area, the properties of the surrounding soil get affected. It affects fertility and salinity of the soil (Wtreat, 2018).
Literature Review
As per the study conducted byAl-Othman, 2009 indicates that there is no major effect of treated domestic waste water on the properties of soil. No significant effect on the micro-organism counts, physico-chemical properties and soil texture was seen,up to 15 months after the irrigation with TDW. It was analysed that due to the sandy nature of the soil, it’s water-holding and cation-exchange capacity becomes less and hence, there is no significant effect observed. The research focused upon the significance of reusing the treated waste water for the purpose of irrigation. It causes minimum level of environmental hazards and also helps in maximizing the efficient usage of water from the available resources of water (Al-Othman, 2009).
Darvishi, et al., 2010 is in agreement with the findings of the above research. There is no significant harm found on the microbial, chemical, and physical properties of the soil due to dumping of treated waste water from domestic setup. It was being shown in the results that domestic waste water could be filtered by the soil and the levels of COD and BOD in the waste water was also reduced by the soil. Usage of treated waste water for irrigation helps in increasing the nutritive elements of the soil and proves as a great nutrient source for the plants. This study might provide applicable advice to agricultural researchers and farmers in context of proper use and management of water (Darvishi et al., 2010)
Another study conducted by Day, et al.(2012) shows the similar conclusion as above. The research took place in Arizona, in order to analyze the effects of effluents disposed off from the treated domestic waste water, on the soil. The research involves comparison of the effects of the treated waste water with effluents with the supplemented well water upon irrigation, on the soil. It was found that the soil irrigated with effluent containing waste water had lower rates of water infiltration and higher concentration of nitrogen, phosphorus, and salt. The soil also had a higher rupture modulus. There was no adverse effect recorded on the quality of the soil irrigated by the treated waste water with effluents. Also, there was no decrease in the yield of the crop (Day et al., 2012).
In agreement with the above studies, Ladwani, et al. (2012) stated that the volume of domestic waste water is increasing due to increase in population. The reuse of treated waste water for irrigation purpose and crop yield can be proved as significant source of water and waste management. Depleting resources of fresh water results into high usage of domestic waste water from the treatment plants for agricultural and relative purposes. In this study, crops were fertilized by both treated domestic waste water and ground water. Same dose of fertilizers were applied on the crops for the treatment. Physiochemical properties, crop yield, and nutrient status of the soil treated with domestic waste water were improved as compared to the soil treated with groundwater. Overall, the fertility of the soil was also improved (Ladwani et al., 2012).
According to Alghobar, et al.(2014), the use of treated domestic waste water for irrigation positively affects the soil property and crop yield. It increases the water holding capacity and mineral concentration of the soil. It improves the fertility status and overall chemical properties of the soil. The research was conducted by using ground water and treated waste water for irrigating the soil. Treated waste water reduces the pH level of the soil and also contains essential plant growth elements as compared to the ground water. There was a significant increase in the nutrients like N, P, K, Ca, Na, and SO4while the level of same nutrients level were found low in the soil treated with ground water(Alghobar et al., 2014).
The results of the research conducted by Agrawal, et al.(2014), are in alignment with the results of the above studies. The research was conducted to investigate the effect of treated domestic waste water on the soil fertility and other properties. It was found that the overall physio-chemical and microbial properties of the soil irrigated with TDW get improved as compared to the soil irrigated with ground water. The fertility of the treated soil was found increased along with the increased yield of the crop on the treatment with domestic waste water. Total organic carbon content and nutrients contents like N, P, K, has been increased by application of the domestic waste water (Agrawal et al., 2014).
Hasan, et al.(2014)is in disagreement with the results of the above studies and states that treated domestic waste water adversely affects the physical and chemical properties of the soil on its application. The quality of the plants produces was found worst after application of 100% TDW for irrigation. It was found that when treated waste water from domestic households was mixed with potable water and then applied on the soil, it showed better results on the quality and growth of the plants. Aggregate stability of the soil was reduced and salt concentration was increased highly with the application of only the TDW (Hasan et al., 2014).
Singh, et al.(2012) is in agreement with the Hasan, et al., 2014. The study showed that treated domestic waste water or sewage water constains high amount of heavy metals, nutrients and organic matter. If these heavy metals are reduced by physical treatments such as filteration and screening, the TDW can be very much beneficial for the overall crop yield and in increasing the soil fertility. But on the other hand, if the soil is put to the application of TDW for longer period of time with high concentration of heavy metals, this can lead to phytotoxicity of the crops (Singh et al., 2012).
After conducting the secondary research with the help of this literature review, it can be concluded that treated domestic waste water is benficial to be used in irrigation of soil. If put to correct use with right amount of treatment both physical and chemical, it can increase the overall fertility, stability, and nutriens level of the soil. Crop yield and plant growth is also seen as one of the major advantages of the TDW. If used without much treatment and for long term, it can cause ill effects like high concentration of Fe and other heavy metals resulting into poor plant quality. Type of soil and region also governs the effects of the TDW on properties of soil.
The literature treview claims that the treatment of the wastewater removes the potentially toxic solids from the soil and degrades the complex organic compoiunds into lesss organic ones. Thus, the harmful impact of these compounds on the soil are reduvced to minimum and the water does not degrade the properties of the soil (EPA, 2009). This evidence is high;ly important for our research because it confirms that the water obtained after domestic wastewater treatment is free from the toxic substances and hence, does not impaact the qualuity of soil negatively. Similarly, Sklarz and his colleagues in 2013 confirmed the fact that the domestic wastewater obtainbed from treatment plants is less toxic and can be used for for the irrigations purposes (Sklarz et al., 2013). It proves that this water does not impact the soil qulaity in a worse manner. Darvishi in 2010 also claimed that the treated domestic wastewater improves the quality of the soil and increases the amount of nutritive elements in the soil which, in turn, can serve as the source of nutrition for plants (Al-Othman, 2009).
References
Agrawal, V., Bhagat, R. & Thikare, a.N., 2014. Impact of Domestic Sewage for Irrigation on Properties of Soil. International Journal of Research Studies in Science, Engineering and Technology, 1(5), pp.60-64.
Alghobar, M.A., Ramachandra1, L. & Suresha, a.S., 2014. Effect of sewage water irrigation on soil properties and evaluation of the accumulation of elements in Grass crop. American Journal of Environmental Protection, 3(4), pp.283-91.
Al-Othman, A.A., 2009. Effect of treated domestic wastewater on physical and chemical characteristics of soils. Journal of Applied Sciences, 9(5), pp.901-08.
Al-Othman, A.A., 2009. Effect of Treated Domestic Wastewater on Physical and Chemical Characteristics of Soils. Journal of Applied Sciences, 9(1), pp.901-08.
Darvishi, H.H., Manshouri, M. & Farahan, a.H.A., 2010. The effect of irrigation by domestic waste water on soil properties. Journal of Soil Science and Environmental Management, 1(2), pp.030-33.
Day, A.D., Stroehlein, J.L. & Tucker, a.T.C., 2012. Effects of Treatment Plant Effluent on Soil Properties. Journal (Water Pollution Control Federation), 44(3), pp.372-75.
EPA, 2009. How Waste Water Treatment Works – The Basics. Washington DC: Office of Water.
Hasan, H., Battikhi, A. & Qrunfleh, M., 2014. Impacts of Treated Wastewater Reuse on Some Soil Properties and Production of Gladiolus communis. Journal of Horticulture, 1(3), pp.1-9.
Ladwani, K.D., Ladwani, K.D., Manik, V.S. & Ramteke, a.D.S., 2012. Impact of Domestic Wastewater Irrigation on Soil Properties and Crop Yield. International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications, 2(10).
Singh, P.K., Deshbhratar, P.B. & Ramteke, a.D.S., 2012. Effects of sewage wastewater irrigation on soil properties, crop yield and environment. Agricultural Water Management, 103, pp.100–04.
Sklarz, M.Y., Zhou, M., Chavez, D.L.F. & Soares, M.I.M., 2013. Effect of Treated Domestic Wastewater on Soil Physicochemical and Microbiological Properties. Journal of Environmental Quality, 42(4), pp.1226-35.
Wtreat, 2018. Wastewater Treatment Methods and Disposal. [Online] Available at: https://web.deu.edu.tr/atiksu/ana52/wtreat.html [Accessed 13 September 2018].
Order an Essay Now & Get These Features For Free:
Turnitin Report
Formatting
Title Page
Citation
Outline
