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Casein Whey Wastewater Effects on Soil Permeability¹

ABSTRACT

Wastewater containing casein whey can impede soil water movement. A single 35-mm application of simulated whey effluent to "undisturbed" soil cores resulted in approximately a 50% reduction in the saturated hydraulic conductivity (K) within 2 days. Repetitive applications to some cores caused a K decrease of over 99%. Subsequently all cores showed signs of biologically induced recovery within 1 to 3 weeks of the final effluent application, and in some cores, particularly those containing earthworms, the final K value eventually exceeded the initial value. Both physical and biological processes appear responsible for the K decrease following effluent application, with the degree of physical pore blockage dependent upon the particulate matter in the effluent.

A number of practical implications can be inferred from the results. To avoid reduction in saturated hydraulic conductivity an aerobic soil environment should be maintained, thus a land disposal site should never be overloaded so that ponding occurs. A spelling interval between applications is necessary to allow K recovery. Pore blockage would be lessened, but not eliminated, if suspended solids were removed from the effluent prior to irrigation.

Key Words: hydraulic conductivity • pore blockage • soil clogging

¹ Contribution of Dep. of Soil Sci., Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand. Research supported in part by the New Zealand Dairy Res. Inst.

² Junior Lecturer, Senior Lecturers, and Lecturer, respectively, Dep. of Soil Science, Massey Univ.

Received for publication February 8, 1980.