Wastewater reuse in irrigation: A microbiological perspective on implications in soil fertility and human and environmental health

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2015

Authors

Cristina Becerra Castro (Author) FEUP; Ana Rita Lopes (Author) FEUP; Ivone Vaz Moreira (Author) FEUP; Elisabete F. Silva (Author) FEUP; Célia M. Manaia (Author) Other; Olga C. Nunes (Author) FEUP

Journal

Title: Environment International

Vol. 75

Pages: 117-135

ISSN: 0160-4120

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 233 Citations

Scopus - 271 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Natural sciences > Earth and related Environmental sciences

Associated Projects

UI0511 - PROJECTO ESTRATÉGICO - UI 511 - 2013-2014

LEPAE/CEFT - RL2 - (Bio) Chemical Engineering: Multi-Scale Approaches for Sustainable Environment and Health

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-009-ZDW

DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2014.11.001

Abstract (EN): The reuse of treated wastewater, in particular for irrigation, is an increasingly common practice, encouraged by governments and official entities worldwide. Irrigation with wastewater may have implications at two different levels: alter the physicochemical and microbiological properties of the soil and/or introduce and contribute to the accumulation of chemical and biological contaminants in soil. The first may affect soil productivity and fertility; the second may pose serious risks to the human and environmental health. The sustainable wastewater reuse in agriculture should prevent both types of effects, requiring a holistic and integrated risk assessment. In this article we critically review possible effects of irrigation with treated wastewater, with special emphasis on soil microbiota. The maintenance of a rich and diversified autochthonous soil microbiota and the use of treated wastewater with minimal levels of potential soil contaminants are proposed as sine qua non conditions to achieve a sustainable wastewater reuse for irrigation.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 19