Irrigation with Treated Wastewater as an Alternative Nutrient Source (for Crop): Numerical Simulation

Eva Hyánková, Michal Kriška Dunajský, Ondřej Zedník, Ondřej Chaloupka and Miroslava Pumprlová Němcová
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Eva Hyánková: Faculty of Civil Engineering, Institute of Water Landscape Management, Brno University of Technology, Veveří 95, 602 00 Brno, Czech Republic
Michal Kriška Dunajský: Faculty of Civil Engineering, Institute of Water Landscape Management, Brno University of Technology, Veveří 95, 602 00 Brno, Czech Republic
Ondřej Zedník: Faculty of Civil Engineering, Institute of Water Landscape Management, Brno University of Technology, Veveří 95, 602 00 Brno, Czech Republic
Ondřej Chaloupka: Faculty of Civil Engineering, Institute of Water Landscape Management, Brno University of Technology, Veveří 95, 602 00 Brno, Czech Republic
Miroslava Pumprlová Němcová: Faculty of Civil Engineering, Institute of Water Landscape Management, Brno University of Technology, Veveří 95, 602 00 Brno, Czech Republic

Agriculture, 2021, vol. 11, issue 10, 1-20

Abstract: From a global perspective, drought is a well-known manifestation of climate change. The search for alternative sources of water also brings uncertainties and risks, for example, in relation to wastewater irrigation. We asked ourselves whether and how supplemental irrigation with pre-treated wastewater would affect the subsoil or groundwater quality. We constructed semi-operational models that were loaded with wastewater in a controlled manner over three years of observations. Ammonium nitrogen (NH 4 + -N) pollution is one of the monitored parameters in wastewater discharge. In specific situations and under strict operating conditions, it can be assumed that ammonia nitrogen may not be a significant problem for groundwater. Already at a depth of 0.5 m below ground level, the average nitrogen levels are below 0.02 mg/L at an irrigation rate of approximately 15.5 mm/day. When monitoring total phosphorus (TP), these values are reduced with more variability—depending on the plant species at the surface, ranging from 0.17 to 0.95 mg/L. The measured values are used to calibrate the numerical model, or to determine the reaction parameters that enter the governing equation to describe the distribution of the solution in the soil environment. The results show an acceptable compliance between the model and real measurements, it will be possible to use them in practice for the design of wastewater irrigation systems.

Keywords: irrigation; ammonia nitrogen; phosphorus; groundwater; wastewater; numerical model; Hydrus 2D; evaporation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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