Impact of treated sewage effluent on soil fertility, salinization, and heavy metal content

A long-term experiment (2013 to 2017) of treated sewage effluent (TSE) levels via fertigation in a humid tropical region was installed Jaboticabal, state São Paulo, Southeast Brazil, evaluate the impact TSE on soil fertility and potential for salinization heavy metal contamination an Oxisol. The area cultivated with Urochloa brizantha under application four at irrigation depth (0, 11, 60, 100% TSE) during years experiment. chemical composition monitored throughout experimental period. were evaluated 0-0.10 0.10-0.20 m layers end Fertigation using did not increase concentration potentially toxic elements (As, Cd, Cu, Hg, Mo, Ni, Pb, Se, Zn) due their low effluent. higher Na also observed high (60 100%). However, sodium adsorption rate low, generating no sodification. increased fertility, increasing by more than 10% P content base saturation compared control. According attributes effluent, this study showed that regions clayey soils forage grasses is recommended.