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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

Author

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  • 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)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Xiaomin Gu & Yong Xiao & Shiyang Yin & Honglu Liu & Baohui Men & Zhongyong Hao & Peng Qian & Huijun Yan & Qichen Hao & Yong Niu & Hui Huang & Qiuming Pei, 2019. "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," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(4), pages 1-12, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:4:p:649-:d:208149
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Shibao Lu & Jianhua Wang & Liang Pei, 2016. "Study on the Effects of Irrigation with Reclaimed Water on the Content and Distribution of Heavy Metals in Soil," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-10, March.
    2. Andrews, D.M. & Robb, T. & Elliott, H. & Watson, J.E., 2016. "Impact of long-term wastewater irrigation on the physicochemical properties of humid region soils: “The Living Filter” site case study," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 178(C), pages 239-247.
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    Cited by:

    1. Qing Ma & Lina Han & Jiquan Zhang & Yichen Zhang & Qiuling Lang & Fengxu Li & Aru Han & Yongbin Bao & Kaiwei Li & Si Alu, 2019. "Environmental Risk Assessment of Metals in the Volcanic Soil of Changbai Mountain," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(11), pages 1-17, June.
    2. Fenglin Wang & Hongjie Yang & Yuqing Zhang & Shengbin Wang & Kui Liu & Zexue Qi & Xiaoran Chai & Liwei Wang & Wanping Wang & Fatemeh Barzegari Banadkooki & Venkatramanan Senapthi & Yong Xiao, 2022. "Solute Geochemistry and Water Quality Assessment of Groundwater in an Arid Endorheic Watershed on Tibetan Plateau," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-22, November.
    3. Yuanzheng Zhai & Fuxin Zheng & Dongfan Li & Xinyi Cao & Yanguo Teng, 2022. "Distribution, Genesis, and Human Health Risks of Groundwater Heavy Metals Impacted by the Typical Setting of Songnen Plain of NE China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(6), pages 1-17, March.

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