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The Effects of Sodium and Organic Matter in Sewage Effluent on Water Retention Properties of Soils¹

ABSTRACT

The effect of 90 days of sewage effluent irrigation by drippers on water redistribution after irrigation was investigated on two soil layers of different texture and organic matter content. Changes in soil salinity, organic matter content, surface area, and water-retention properties were monitored for 90- and 60-day periods of effluent irrigation. The experiments were carried out in columns under constant temperature conditions. Soil depth was 3 cm and its mass was 100 g.

The results led to the formulation of a hypothesis to explain the observed increased water retentivity of soils under effluent irrigation. The sodium and organic matter additions to soil via the waste water were found to interact in their effects on the active surface of soil particles. As a result of this interaction, drainage of the heavier soil, impaired during effluent irrigation, improved by subsequent drying. It then showed little damage upon simulated rainfall application. In contrast, drying of the sandier soil did not significantly improve its drainage properties, and subsequent "rainfall" resulted in severe clogging.

¹ This paper is a contribution from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, The Faculty of Agriculture, P.O. Box 12, Rehovot 76100, Israel. This work partially fulfills the requirements of the M.Sc. Degree.

² Graduate Student and Senior Lecturer, respectively; Dep. of Soil and Water Science, Faculty of Agriculture, P.O. Box 12, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 76100, Israel.

Received for publication July 18, 1979. Accepted for publication January 16, 1981.