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Changes in Soil Chemistry and Soil Nutrient Stocks after 30 Years of Treated Municipal Wastewater Land Disposal: A Natural Experiment

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Listed:
  • María Jesús Gutiérrez-Ginés

    (Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR), Christchurch 8041, New Zealand)

  • Brett H. Robinson

    (School of Physical and Chemical Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand)

  • Sky Halford

    (Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR), Christchurch 8041, New Zealand)

  • Izzie Alderton

    (Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR), Christchurch 8041, New Zealand)

  • Vikki Ambrose

    (Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR), Christchurch 8041, New Zealand)

  • Jacqui Horswell

    (Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR), Christchurch 8041, New Zealand)

  • Hamish Lowe

    (Lowe Environmental Impact, Palmerston North 4410, New Zealand)

Abstract

The benefits and risks of irrigation with treated municipal wastewater (TMW) on soil quality and crop production have been largely investigated. However, there is a lack of knowledge on the effect of plant species on the interaction between soil quality and TMW. We leveraged a natural experiment investigating the effect of 30 years of TMW irrigation at a rate of 4 m y −1 (eq. 1860 kg N ha −1 y −1 , and 264 kg P ha −1 y −1 ) on a sandy soil under pine plantation and pasture, compared with soil under New Zealand native Kunzea robusta . There was a consistent increase in soil P with irrigation under both pasture (Olsen P in topsoil 40 mg kg −1 vs. 74 mg kg −1 ) and pine (18 mg kg −1 vs. 87 mg kg −1 ), which was significant down to 2 m deep. The pH, electrical conductivity, total organic C and N, inorganic N and Na were affected by both irrigation and vegetation type. Beyond P soil accumulation, there was no evidence of soil degradation by Na or trace element accumulation. Estimations of nutrient mass balance indicated that 80% and 60% of the total applied P was lost under pine and pasture, respectively. This percentage increased to 96% and 83% for N, respectively. Although plant species had a significant effect on soil quality and N and P losses from TMW-irrigated areas, adjusting irrigation rates to levels that can be managed by plants is the only way to design sustainable TMW irrigation schemes.

Suggested Citation

  • María Jesús Gutiérrez-Ginés & Brett H. Robinson & Sky Halford & Izzie Alderton & Vikki Ambrose & Jacqui Horswell & Hamish Lowe, 2023. "Changes in Soil Chemistry and Soil Nutrient Stocks after 30 Years of Treated Municipal Wastewater Land Disposal: A Natural Experiment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(23), pages 1-14, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:23:p:16230-:d:1286091
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Pedrero, Francisco & Kalavrouziotis, Ioannis & Alarcón, Juan José & Koukoulakis, Prodromos & Asano, Takashi, 2010. "Use of treated municipal wastewater in irrigated agriculture--Review of some practices in Spain and Greece," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 97(9), pages 1233-1241, September.
    2. -Lal, Khajanchi & Minhas, P.S. & Yadav, R.K., 2015. "Long-term impact of wastewater irrigation and nutrient rates II. Nutrient balance, nitrate leaching and soil properties under peri-urban cropping systems," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 156(C), pages 110-117.
    3. Josef Zavadil, 2009. "The effect of municipal wastewater irrigation on the yield and quality of vegetables and crops," Soil and Water Research, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 4(3), pages 91-103.
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