Mechanisms of impact on the soil environment of drip irrigation applying treated sewage effluent: a review in China

Abstract

Due to the severe shortage of water resources, more than 33.3% of treated sewage effluent (TSE) is used for agricultural irrigation in China. There are significant advantages of using drip irrigation of TSE. However, it is still not known how TSE drip irrigation influences the soil environment. It is known that drip irrigation technical parameters determine the distribution of TSE in soil and have a substantive effect on the soil environment, while the magnitude of these impacts depends on the TSE quality. Since the application of conventional water resources is limited, TSE is expected to be used more frequently for agricultural irrigation. The growing concern of soil environmental risk due to TSE drip irrigation requires further study of the interaction and coupling of drip irrigation and TSE. This summary will help understand TSE drip irrigation in China, and guide the practice of reclaimed water utilization in the future. HIGHLIGHTS Reclaimed water irrigation agriculture has wide possibilities in China.; The effects of drip irrigation on soil and crop are highly dependent on irrigation parameters and materials contained in reclaimed water.; The effects of reclaimed water drip irrigation on soil and crop need continuous monitoring and evaluation.; Reclaimed water could promote agriculture and water sustainability when based on risk control.;

Keywords

• environmental health
• micro irrigation
• soil quality
• technical parameters
• water quality