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- Spatial and temporal dynamics of irrigation water quality under drought conditions in a large reservoir in Southern PortugalPublication . Tomaz, Alexandra; Palma, Patrícia; Fialho, Sofia; Lima, Ana; Alvarenga, Paula; Potes, Miguel; Salgado, RuiWater is a scarce resource in the Mediterranean region where adverse climatic conditions promoting water shortages tend to increase with climate change. Under water scarcity conditions and high atmosphere evaporative demand, the risks of decreased water quality, and land salinization are major threats to the sustainability of irrigated agriculture in this region. The assessment of the quality of irrigation water is increasingly important to ensure the maintenance of long-term salt balance at a crop, farm, and regional scale. This study is focused on the spatial and temporal variability of water quality for irrigation in the Alqueva reservoir (Southern Portugal). The assessment was performed every 2 months during a distinctive drought year (2017) and included inorganic ions (Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, NH4 +, Cl−, F−, SO4 2−, NO3 −, and NO2 −), pH, and electric conductivity (ECW) of water. Sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) was calculated, and potential soil permeability problems were estimated. The assessment showed significantly higher values of the physicochemical parameters in the most upstream sites, located near tributaries inflows, and an upward trend in ion concentrations throughout the year, with significantly higher concentrations of Na+, Mg2+, Cl−, and SO4 2, registered through May to November, reflecting the severe drought felt in the summer, autumn, and winter. The evaluation of water quality for irrigation indicated a slight to moderate risk of reduced infiltration rates, which should be considered whenever sprinkler irrigation is used, mainly in fine-textured soils, which are prevalent in the irrigated area. The multivariate statistical approach, using principal component analysis and factor analysis, identified two principal components related to salinity and nutrient concentrations. The cluster analysis revealed three groups of similarity between samples pointing to a more time- than space-controlled pattern. Overall, the temporal dynamics of the water physicochemical parameters could indicate that an abnormal annual distribution of precipitation and temperature may distort seasonal differences. To prevent water and soil degradation, a more frequent assessment of the water quality should be considered, allowing for the selection of appropriate soil and water management measures in irrigated areas
- Utilização de Lolium perenne L. na fitoestabilização controlada de solos degradados por actividades mineirasPublication . Alvarenga, Paula; Fernandes, Rosa Maria; Varennes, A.; Vallini, Giovanni; Duarte, Elisabeth; Cunha-Queda, Ana CristinaWe studied the application of Lolium per-enne L. and of different organic residues in the assisted phytostabilization of mine-contaminated soils (Aljustrel Mine Area, Iberian Pyrite Belt). Although the applica-tion of the organic residues led to immobilization of Cu, Pb, and Zn in the soil, decreas-ing their effective available fraction, their concentrations in the above-ground plant material did not change. The accumulation factors (AF) obtained were AF(Cu) and AF(Pb) <<1, and AF(Zn) <1, allowing its election as a possible candidate for phytos-tabilization purposes. However, Pb and Cu concentrations in ryegrass shoots were con-sidered toxic, which suggests that there is a risk of contamination of the human food chain. Multivariate statistical analysis em-phasized sewage sludge as the organic resi-due with the greatest capacity to correct soil acidity, and to improve soil characteristics, followed by the compost obtained from municipal solid waste residues. However, an impaired growth was obtained when using the highest application rate (100 Mg ha-1) of both residues. All garden waste compost rates were unable to correct general soil constraints to plant growth.
- Assessment of Soil Physicochemical Characteristics and As, Cu, Pb and Zn Contamination in Non-Active Mines at the Portuguese Sector of the Iberian Pyrite BeltPublication . Alvarenga, Paula; Mourinha, Clarisse; Palma, Patrícia; Cruz, Nuno; Rodrigues, Sónia MoraisThis study aimed to evaluate soil physicochemical characteristics (pH, electrical conductivity, organic matter, total N, and extractable P and K), and potentially toxic elements (As, Cu, Pb, and Zn), in non-active mines located in the Portuguese sector of the Iberian Pyrite Belt (IPB). A total of 70 sampling sites were surveyed at Aljustrel and Lousal, in areas already rehabilitated, and at São Domingos, where rehabilitation was only beginning. The soils at São Domingos were very heterogeneous, with extreme values for some properties (e.g., minimum soil pH 2.0 and maximum As concentration, 4382.8 mg kg1 dry weight basis (DW)). Aljustrel was the site that presented soils with a higher total As, Cu, Pb, and Zn concentration (median values: 441.5, 545.9, 1396.8, and 316.5 mg kg1 DW, respectively), above the soil quality guidelines values proposed by the Portuguese Environmental Agency (18, 230, 120, and 340 mg kg1 DW, respectively). A principal component analysis identified the most relevant soil properties to explain the data variance, which were the soil pH and Pb total concentration, followed by Cu and Zn total concentrations, allowing a separation of Aljustrel from the other mines. Pearson correlation coefficients revealed very strong associations between Pb and As, markedly found at higher concentrations in São Domingos, whereas Aljustrel had an elevated concentration of As and Pb, but also of Cu and Zn. It is evident the risk that persists in the Aljustrel mine area, which was not alleviated by the “dig, dump, and cover” techniques that were implemented to rehabilitate the area
- Urban Wastewater as a Source of Reclaimed Water for Irrigation: Barriers and Future PossibilitiesPublication . Santos, Andreia F.; Alvarenga, Paula; Gando-Ferreira, Licínio M.; Quina, Margarida J.Water resources are under pressure worldwide, resulting in scarcity and deterioration of freshwater quality. According to European directives, we could reduce the pressure on water resources in urban areas by increasing the reuse of treated wastewater, reducing the impact on water bodies, and promoting water recycling through multiple uses of urban wastewater. Besides the need to address water supply challenges, wastewater treatment systems show environmental stewardship and innovative practices. Using reclaimed water for agricultural irrigation is gaining interest because of the drought conditions experienced in Europe over the past few years. Furthermore, using treated wastewater for agricultural irrigation may help to restore nutrients (N and P) to natural biogeochemical cycles. This review highlights the importance of water reuse, current legislation, and existing technologies to implement in wastewater treatment systems to meet the minimum requirements to produce reclaimed water to reuse in agricultural irrigation.
- From wastewater to fertilizer products: Alternative paths to mitigate phosphorus demand in European countriesPublication . Santos, Andreia F.; Almeida, Patrícia V.; Alvarenga, Paula; Gando-Ferreira, Licínio M.; Quina, Margarida J.Phosphorus (P) is a non-renewable resource, irreplaceable for life and food production, and currently considered a Critical Raw Material to the European Union (EU). Due to concerns about the rate of consumption and limited reserves in countries with sensitive geopolitical contexts, it is urgent to recover P from urban and industrial flows. Indeed, the municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) are considered relevant sources with several hot spots, especially sewage sludge with estimated recovery efficiencies of >80%. The most promising recovery strategies are based on thermal treatments (e.g., incineration of sludge) following by wet-chemical or thermochemical leaching, precipitation, and adsorption. The direct application of sludge on soil is no longer a primary route for P reintegration in the value-chain for countries as Switzerland, Germany, and The Netherlands. In fact, Switzerland and Austria paved the way for implementing P recovery legislation, focusing on recovery from raw sewage sludge or ashes. Indeed, industrial technologies with sludge ash as input show high recovery efficiencies (Ashdec® and Leachphos® with 98 and 79%) and lower environmental impacts, whereas Pearl® technology has about 12% recovery efficiency with wastewater as input. After all, struvite emerges as the most recovered product with recent access to the internal market of EU fertilisers and similar growth performance compared to triple-super-phosphate. However, several studies leave open the possibility of introducing loaded adsorbents with P as soil amendments as a new alternative to conventional desorption. Briefly, P recovery should be a compromise between efficiency, environmental impacts, and economic revenues from the final products
- Risk assessment of irrigation-related soil salinization and sodification in Mediterranean areasPublication . Tomaz, Alexandra; Palma, Patrícia; Fialho, Sofia; Lima, Ana; Alvarenga, Paula; Potes, Miguel; Costa, Maria João; Salgado, RuiSalinization and sodification are important processes of soil degradation a ecting irrigated lands. A large proportion of the global irrigated area is a ected by some degree of soil salinity or sodicity caused by the intensification of irrigation. The increase of the frequency of adverse climatic conditions, like high temperatures and variations in precipitation patterns caused by climate change, will potentially amplify these processes in arid, semi-arid, and Mediterranean areas. The use of integrated approaches for the spatial and temporal prediction of the risk of salinization and sodification in irrigated areas is of great value, helping in the decision-making regarding land uses and choice of more suitable agricultural practices. In this study, based on key criteria for the assessment of irrigation-related salinization processes (e.g., climate, topography, soil drainage, water quality for irrigation, and crop irrigation method), we developed a methodology for the prediction of soil salinity and sodicity risk in irrigated lands, using two composite indices, the Salinization Risk (RSA) index and the Sodification Risk (RSO) index. The application of these indices to a real scenario (a Mediterranean area in Southern Portugal) showed that 67% of the potentially irrigated area presented a low risk of salinity development, 68% had a moderate risk of sodification, and 16% was of high risk of sodicity development. Areas under moderate risk of salinization (26%) were mostly characterized by low slopes and fine-textured soils, like Luvisols and Vertisols, with limited drainage conditions. Areas with high risk of soil sodification presented a large incidence of low slope terrain, moderate-to-restricted soil drainage, in high clay content Luvisols, Vertisols and Cambisols, and land use dominated by annual crops irrigated with surface or sprinkler systems. These risk prediction tools have the potential to be used for resource use planning by policymakers and on-farm management decision by farmers, contributing to the sustainability of irrigated agriculture in Mediterranean regions
- Chemical and Ecotoxicological Assessment of Agricultural Drainage Water from a Maize Crop Area: A Case Study in the Tejo Basin (Portugal)Publication . Palma, Patrícia; Catarino, Adriana; Silva, Emília; Alvarenga, PaulaThe use of agricultural drainage water (ADW) in irrigation is a great challenge, improving water use efficiency, nutrient circularity, and avoiding surface and ground-water contamination. The objective of this study was to evaluate the chemical and ecotoxicological characteristics of an ADW to analyze the safety of its reuse. An irrigated area with maize crops was selected (Tejo Basin, Portugal), where a subsurface structure for the recovery of ADW was installed, collecting the drainage in a pond and recycling it for crop irrigation. Water was collected monthly during the irrigation campaign of 2021 (April to August). Three herbicides and two metabolites were quantified, reaching a maximum concentration of 0.74 g L1 for S-metolachlor and 0.48 g L1 for terbuthylazine. The lethal bioassays did not detect toxicity, except for the sample collected in August toward Vibrio fisheri (EC50 = 25.2%). The samples were not toxic to Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata, with a growth inhibition rate of less than 10%. The low lethal and sublethal effects may be ascribed to the high nutrient concentration (e.g., 1.76 mg P L1 and 98.9 mg NO3 L1, in July) that could have masked toxic effects. Ecotoxicological responses support the option of ADW reuse in irrigation, offering a safe and sustainable solution for water and nutrient management.
- Urban wastewater as a source of reclaimed water for irrigation: barriers and future possibilitiesPublication . Santos, Andreia F.; Alvarenga, Paula; Gando-Ferreira, Licínio M.; Quina, Margarida J.Water resources are under pressure worldwide, resulting in scarcity and deterioration of freshwater quality. According to European directives, we could reduce the pressure on water resources in urban areas by increasing the reuse of treated wastewater, reducing the impact on water bodies, and promoting water recycling through multiple uses of urban wastewater. Besides the need to address water supply challenges, wastewater treatment systems show environmental stewardship and innovative practices. Using reclaimed water for agricultural irrigation is gaining interest because of the drought conditions experienced in Europe over the past few years. Furthermore, using treated wastewater for agricultural irrigation may help to restore nutrients (N and P) to natural biogeochemical cycles. This review highlights the importance of water reuse, current legislation, and existing technologies to implement in wastewater treatment systems to meet the minimum requirements to produce reclaimed water to reuse in agricultural irrigation.
- A step towards the production of manure-based fertilizers: Disclosing the effects of animal species and slurry treatment on their nutrients content and availabilityPublication . Prado, Joana; Ribeiro, Henrique; Alvarenga, Paula; Fangueiro, DavidIn a context of climate change and circular economy, it is fundamental to produce animal manure-based fertilizers attractive to farmers who are reluctant to use heterogeneous materials, poorly characterized and with unbalanced nutrient contents, namely N:P ratios different from plant requirements. Hence, the aim of the present study was to assess the potential of different treated and non-treated animal manures to produce tailor-made manure-based fertilizers with known N:P ratios. Seven manures were considered: cattle, caprine and poultry solid manures, two contrasting cattle slurries and two contrasting swine slurries. Slurries were further treated by solid-liquid separation, acidification, and acidification followed by solid-liquid separation. Raw and treated manures were fully characterized to assess the effect of manure type and treatment on their nutrient contents and N:P ratios, to incorporate them in manure-based fertilizers with selected N:P ratio. The present results were essential to support the manure-based fertilizer production and identify which materials could be considered: it appears clearly that the pig slurry with all stages of production and the correspondent liquid fraction cannot be used due to their low nutrients content. It was shown that the solid fractions rich in P and with a NT:N–NH4+ ratio close to 1 are an excellent material to prepare manure-based fertilizers. Acidification, combined with solidliquid separation, produced a liquid fraction rich in both N and P and with a NT:PT ratio close to 1, with the additional benefit of a slow N-release material. Some of the manures or sub-products obtained after treatment provided the usual N:P ratio required by farmers and could be used directly as substitutes of mineral fertilizers. Nevertheless, the blending of some of these materials has a stronger potential to the production of specific manure-based fertilizer
- Phosphorus concentration and speciation in urban wastewater for potential recoveryPublication . Santos, A. F.; Gando-Fereira, L. M.; Quina, M. J.; Alvarenga, P.Phosphorus (P) scarcity, jointly with eutrophication problems and water shortage, are forcing urban wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) to redirect their focus to nutrient recov-ery and treated water reuse. However, before implementing any recovery approach, it is neces-sary to understand the problem and its variability. In this scope, this work aims to collect data from different WWTP to assess P concentrations, speciation, and variability in urban wastewater. The analysis revealed high levels of total P, before and after anaerobic digestion, and in the sludge dewatering water (100-400 mg P/L), with about 60-80% of total P in the solu-ble form. Also, in the best-case scenario, soluble reactive P (orthophosphate) accounts for over 50% of soluble total P. Preliminary results showed that it would be possible to recover over 100 kg P/day in a WWTP with about 160,000 p.e.