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Heavy metals in soil and plants after long-term sewage irrigation at Tianjin China: A case study assessment

Author

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  • Meng, Weiqing
  • Wang, Zuwei
  • Hu, Beibei
  • Wang, Zhongliang
  • Li, Hongyuan
  • Goodman, Robbin Cole

Abstract

Due to the constraints of freshwater for agricultural irrigation, sewage water has been used in farmland irrigation as an important supplement and alternative water resources during the past three decades in China, especially in northern areas. However, there is increasing concern about food safety and health risks, hence, a case study was undertaken to understand the long-term effect of sewage irrigation on heavy metal concentrations in soil and plants. Sewage sludge, soil and plant samples were collected and analyzed for heavy metals concentrations. Results showed that sewage irrigated soil contained much higher concentrations of Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, Cr, As and Hg compared to clean water irrigated soil. The heavy metal content of the topsoil (0–20cm) was much higher than that of the subsoil. Significant heavy metal (Cd, Zn and Hg) pollution has occurred in soils of areas that had been using untreated waste water irrigation in Tianjin, China. There were significant accumulations of heavy metals in wheat that used sewage irrigation. Compared with the other parts of the wheat plants, the higher contents of Cd, Cr, Pb and As in the roots indicated that roots had a strong absorption ability and maybe cause an obvious barrier effect. Based on the soil to plant transfer factor of heavy metals, there is a strong accumulation effect of Cd in vegetables. Overall, the concentrations of Cd, Pb, Ni, Cr and As were lower than the national permitted safety limits in soil. Mean Cd, Pb and As concentrations in vegetables were higher than the national safety limits, whereas the mean concentrations of Cu, Zn and Cr were below Chinese national safety limits. Therefore, in order to ensure food safety and use of sewage for irrigation, continuous monitoring and pollution control is needed.

Suggested Citation

  • Meng, Weiqing & Wang, Zuwei & Hu, Beibei & Wang, Zhongliang & Li, Hongyuan & Goodman, Robbin Cole, 2016. "Heavy metals in soil and plants after long-term sewage irrigation at Tianjin China: A case study assessment," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 171(C), pages 153-161.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:agiwat:v:171:y:2016:i:c:p:153-161
    DOI: 10.1016/j.agwat.2016.03.013
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Yan Shi & Weiwei Chen & Shipeng Yang & Changping Feng & Xin Wang, 2023. "Comparison of Two Types of Modified Zeolites and the Key Factors for Cd(II) Adsorption Processes in Micropolluted Irrigation Water," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-17, July.
    2. Martínez-Cortijo, J. & Ruiz-Canales, A., 2018. "Effect of heavy metals on rice irrigated fields with waste water in high pH Mediterranean soils: The particular case of the Valencia area in Spain," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 210(C), pages 108-123.
    3. Laura Mirra & Simone Russo & Massimiliano Borrello, 2024. "Exploring Factors Shaping Farmer Behavior in Wastewater Utilization for Agricultural Practices: A Rapid Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-19, March.
    4. Fuling Zhang & Guangchao Cao & Shengkui Cao & Zhuo Zhang & Hongda Li & Gang Jiang, 2023. "Characteristics and Potential Ecological Risks of Heavy Metal Content in the Soil of a Plateau Alpine Mining Area in the Qilian Mountains," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-16, September.
    5. Vesna Radovanovic & Ilija Djekic & Branka Zarkovic, 2020. "Characteristics of Cadmium and Lead Accumulation and Transfer by Chenopodium Quinoa Will," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-11, May.
    6. Feng Liang & Yujie Pan & Hongxia Peng & Min Zeng & Changsheng Huang, 2022. "Time-Space Simulation, Health Risk Warning and Policy Recommendations of Environmental Capacity for Heavy Metals in the Pearl River Basin, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-17, April.
    7. Xiaoping Xin & Jiali Shentu & Tiequan Zhang & Xiaoe Yang & Virupax C. Baligar & Zhenli He, 2022. "Sources, Indicators, and Assessment of Soil Contamination by Potentially Toxic Metals," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-16, November.
    8. Gonzalez, Rodrigo Barbone & Haas Ornelas, José Renato & Silva, Thiago Christiano, 2023. "The Value of Clean Water: Evidence from an Environmental Disaster," IDB Publications (Working Papers) 13273, Inter-American Development Bank.
    9. Zhe Xu & Mingyi Shi & Xiaoman Yu & Mingda Liu, 2022. "Heavy Metal Pollution and Health Risk Assessment of Vegetable–Soil Systems of Facilities Irrigated with Wastewater in Northern China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(16), pages 1-15, August.
    10. Sana Khalid & Muhammad Shahid & Natasha & Irshad Bibi & Tania Sarwar & Ali Haidar Shah & Nabeel Khan Niazi, 2018. "A Review of Environmental Contamination and Health Risk Assessment of Wastewater Use for Crop Irrigation with a Focus on Low and High-Income Countries," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-36, May.
    11. Xiaoming Guo & Tongqian Zhao & Lin Liu & Chunyan Xiao & Yuxiao He, 2018. "Effect of Sewage Irrigation on the CT-Measured Soil Pore Characteristics of a Clay Farmland in Northern China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-14, May.

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