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Irrigation of Monterey Pine with Wastewater: Effect on Soil Chemistry and Groundwater Composition¹

ABSTRACT

Fifteen-year old Monterey pine (Pinus radiata) was irrigated for 3 yr with wastewater derived from industrial and municipal sources. The wastewater contained high concentrations of Na²⁺ and HCO₃^– and was quite alkaline. Irrigation thus caused substantial increases in exchangeable Na²⁺, extractable P, exchangeable K⁺, pH, and the electrical conductivity of the soil solution. Highly colored organic compounds derived from pulp-mill effluent apparently combined with inorganic N from municipal effluent to form organic N compounds. Nitrogen remained largely in the organic form and became concentrated in the groundwater with colored humic compounds. The greatest environmental hazard in the use of such blended wastewater for irrigation is the contamination of drainage water with colored, saline water containing high concentrations of organic N. The organic compounds appeared to inhibit nitrification in the groundwater.

Key Words: organic nitrogen • exchangeable sodium • lack of nitrification

¹ Contribution of CSIRO, Div. of Forest Res., Canberra, A.C.T. and Forests Commission, Melbourne, Victoria. Financial and logistical support were provided by the Latrobe Valley Water and Sewerage Board, Traralgon, Victoria and financial assistance from APM Ltd., Melbourne, Victoria.

² Senior Research Scientist, Senior Technical Officer, and Technical Assistant, respectively, CSIRO Div. of Forest Res., P.O. Box 4008, Canberra, A.C.T. 2600 Australia; and Soil Scientist, Forests Commission, Victoria, G.P.O. Box 4018, Melbourne, Victoria 3001, Australia.

Received for publication January 14, 1983.