Investigating the long-term effects of wastewater consumption on different soil depths

Today, the lack of water reserves on the ground, especially in dry climates including our country, has caused the purposeful reuse of wastewater to provide new water sources as a new solution. Currently, countries that are facing the problem of lack of water resources are investigating the feasibility of using wastewater under the title of unconventional waters. But unfortunately, very little research has been done in this regard.

In order to investigate the amount of changes in some elements and characteristics of the soil under irrigation with wastewater, for 3 years, an experiment was conducted as a randomized complete block design with three repetitions. Sampling was done from two depths of soil 0-30 and 30-60 cm, and the parameters of sodium, total calcium and magnesium, acidity and electrical conductivity of the soil in three study locations (without irrigation, irrigation with treated wastewater, and irrigation with water of river) was measured and analyzed.

The effluent from Zahedan treatment plant has caused an acceptable increase in the amount of sodium, total calcium and magnesium, and soil acidity compared to the control area. But regarding the electrical conductivity, irrigation with sewage decreased this amount.

Effluent causes an effective and acceptable increase of some soil elements, which can be an effective help in soil regeneration and to be used as one of the water sources especially in dry areas that are facing a shortage of water resources.