Abstract
The effect of untreated olive mill wastewater (OMW) spreading on chemical and biological soil properties of two different fields located in Campania (Italy) was investigated. Fields were irrigated since 2003 with quantities of about 30 m3 ha−1 year−1, a volume lower than the maximum limit of 80 m3 ha−1 year−1 established by Italian law. Results showed that the addition of OMW, even if repeated for many years, had little impact on pH, electrical conductivity, organic matter, concentrations of main cations and polyphenolic content of both soil plots; moreover, microbial respiration was low during the winter time, but an increase was evident in the second sampling carried out in warm season. This study suggests that OMW, without pre-treatments, can be annually used for crops and tree irrigation. As a consequence, OMW should be a readily and inexpensive source of nutrients that could replace chemical fertilizers which are extensively employed in agricultural practices of Mediterranean countries.
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Acknowledgments
This work was supported by the project: “Qualità delle produzioni tipiche campane ed il suo territorio: approcci innovativi ed integrati per rafforzare la competitività del sistema Agroalimentare-QUARC”, funded by POR-FESR Campania 2007–2013 (Italy). Thanks are due to Sig. Agostino Navarro for his valuable assistance in sample collection and management. Special thanks are also extended to the kindness welcome of the Basso factory staff.
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Vella, F.M., Galli, E., Calandrelli, R. et al. Effect of Olive Mill Wastewater Spreading on Soil Properties. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 97, 138–144 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-016-1830-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-016-1830-7