Al-Absi K. and Mohawesh O. (2009).

Abstract

BACKGROUND: An alternative plan for saving scarce water could include use of non-conventional water resources such as reclaimed wastewater originating from wastewater treatment plants. Themain health risks are associated with contamination of crops by wastewater due to its chemical composition. Therefore, the effect of recycled effluent irrigation was investigated on mineral composition and quality of olive oil of two local olive cultivars under field conditions during two complete cycles.

RESULTS: The treated wastewater used in this study was taken from the HUIE Wastewater Treatment Plant. This water is mainly generated by textile firms, mixed with municipal domestic effluent. The analysis of the effluent indicated that element concentrations fall within the permissible range in irrigation water used for plants. The concentrations of mineral composition were relatively higher in olive oils irrigated with treated wastewater but lower than the maximum permissible concentration. Concentrations ranged from 8.91 to 26.16 mg kg−1 for Ca; 6.25–16.11 mg kg−1 for Na, 53.20–111.76 mg kg−1 for K, 0.19–0.36 mg kg−1 for Zn, 0.97–1.46 mg kg−1 for Mn and 0.07–0.13% for Cl. No statistically significant differences were found between the oil quality indices (peroxide and acidity).

CONCLUSION: These results indicate that this kind of effluent is suitable for irrigation of olive genotypes grown for oil purposes.

 Journal of the Science Food and Agriculture, 89(12), 2082-2087.