Impact of Long-Term Reclaimed Water Irrigation on the Distribution of Potentially Toxic Elements in Soil: An In-Situ Experiment Study in the North China Plain

Xiaomin Gu, Yong Xiao, Shiyang Yin, Honglu Liu, Baohui Men, Zhongyong Hao, Peng Qian, Huijun Yan, Qichen Hao, Yong Niu, Hui Huang and Qiuming Pei
Additional contact information
Xiaomin Gu: School of Geographic Science, Nantong University, Nantong 226000, China
Yong Xiao: Faculty of Geosciences and Environmental Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 611756, China
Shiyang Yin: School of Renewable Energy, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China
Honglu Liu: Beijing Water Science and Technology Institute, Beijing 100044, China
Baohui Men: School of Renewable Energy, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China
Zhongyong Hao: Beijing Water Science and Technology Institute, Beijing 100044, China
Peng Qian: School of Geographic Science, Nantong University, Nantong 226000, China
Huijun Yan: Geological Environmental Monitoring Central Station of Qinghai Province, Xining 810008, China
Qichen Hao: Institute of Hydrogeology and Environmental Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Science, Shijiazhuang 050061, China
Yong Niu: Forestry College of Shangong Agricultural University, Taian 271018, China
Hui Huang: Department of Chemistry, Nantong Vocational University, Nantong 226007, China
Qiuming Pei: Faculty of Geosciences and Environmental Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 611756, China

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 4, 1-12

Abstract: The widespread use of reclaimed water has alleviated the water resource crisis worldwide, but long-term use of reclaimed water for irrigation, especially in agricultural countries, might threaten the soil environment and further affect groundwater quality. An in-situ experiment had been carried out in the North China Plain, which aimed to reveal the impact of long-term reclaimed water irrigation on soil properties and distribution of potentially toxic elements (As, Cd, Cr, Hg, Zn and Pb) in the soil profile as well as shallow groundwater. Four land plots were irrigated with different quantity of reclaimed water to represent 0, 13, 22 and 35 years’ irrigation duration. Pollution Load Index (PLI) values of each soil layer were calculated to further assess the pollution status of irrigated soils by potentially toxic elements (PTEs). Results showed that long-term reclaimed water irrigation caused appreciable increase of organic matter content, and might improve the soil quality. High soil organic matter concentrations conduced to high adsorption and retention capacity of the soils toward PTEs, which could reduce the risk of PTEs leaching into deep layers or shallow groundwater. Highest levels of Cr, Pb and Zn were observed at 200–240 cm and 460–500 cm horizons in plots. Longer irrigation time (35 years and 22 years) resulted in a decreasing trend of As, Cd, Hg, Pb and Zn in lower part of soil profiles (>540 cm) compared with that with 13-years’ irrigation years. Long-term reclaimed water irrigation still brought about increases in concentrations of some elements in deep soil layer although their content in soils and shallow groundwater was below the national standard. Totally speaking, proper management for reclaimed water irrigation, such as reduction of irrigation volume and rate of reclaimed water, was still needed when a very long irrigation period was performed.

Keywords: reclaimed water irrigation; potentially toxic elements pollution; soil contamination; North China Plain (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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