Short-term effects of produced water on microbial activity in semiarid soil

Short-term effects of produced water on microbial activity in semiarid soil

Type	Journal Article
Author	Eva Dayana Oliveira Rios Lopes
Author	Olmar Baller Weber
Author	Lindbergue Araújo Crisóstomo
Author	Eugênio Pacelli Nunes Brasil de Mattos
URL	Free Full Text http://ijcmas.com/vol-3-2/Eva%20Dayana%20Oliveira%20Rios%20Lopes,%20et%20al.pdf
Volume	3
Issue	2
Pages	395-403
Publication	Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci
Date	2014
Abstract	Produced water (PW) is derived from the oil extraction process, and has been suggested as an alternative irrigation source; however, the water constituents might have reflects on soil function. Authors evaluated the short-term effects of PW on the microbial activity of soil cultivated with bioenergy plants (sunflower cv. BRS 321 and castor bean cv. BRS Energia) in a semiarid environment. Plant species were irrigated at rates according to their requirements using three types of water: (1) groundwater (GW) from Açu aquifer, (2) produced water treated with simple filtration (PWF), and (3) produced water treated with reverse osmosis (PWRO), along with uncultivated areas, serving as the control. Cultivable bacteria and fungi were evaluated from the surface soil of the 2-biofuel crops during one production cycle. In addition, the levels of various soil biological attributes were recorded. Irrigation with GW and PWF resulted in the proliferation of soil microorganisms and increased dehydrogenase activity, whereas the PWRO treatment reduced the population of culturable bacteria after 7 weeks of planting both crops, and filamentous fungi after 11 weeks of planting castor beans. The irrigation with PWF and PWRO, in short-term, negatively affects the proliferation of microorganisms and dehydrogenase activity in soil supporting bioenergy crops.