Changes in Plant Nutrients, and Microbial Biomass in Different Soil Depths After Long-Term Surface Application of Secondary Treated Wastewater

Long-term effects of surface application of secondary treated wastewater on plant nutrients dynamics, the cycling of C and N within the system through the determination of microbial biomass, and associated health hazards were studied in different soil locations. Sites that have been irrigated with wastewater for the last 1, 4, 10, and 17 years were identified and used as sampling locations for this study. Two other sites that have not been irrigated with wastewater were sampled as a control. Soil samples were taken from several sites within each location, and at the following depths: 0-20, 20-40, and 40-60 cm. Results obtained indicated that microbial biomass C and N were increased significantly with increasing application period of treated wastewater. Barley plant tissues analysis showed that plant nutrients content was significantly higher in sites which received wastewater for a long period than other sites. No significances in accumulation of lead (Pb) in barley plant tissues were observed with sites received wastewater for different periods. The bacteriological analysis showed that the total bacterial count of surface soil (0-20 cm) was higher in sites irrigated with wastewater for the last 10 and 17 years. The total coliforms ranged from 0.92x10² cfu/g soil to 3.3x10² cfu/g soil, while fecal coliform were less and detected only in top soils at sites irrigated with wastewater for the last 10 and 17 years.