Impacts of standard and 'low environmental impact' greywater irrigation on soil and plant nutrients and ecology

Abstract

Interest in recycling greywaters is increasing as population growth, pollution and climate change increase pressure on water resources. There has been little research investigating impacts of irrigating untreated greywater on soil and plant health and to our knowledge no studies comparing greywater from standard with "low environmental impact" detergents. A soil-pot trial with lettuce and radish compared tap water, nutrient solution, and grey water (standard and minimal impact) irrigation. Greywater had impacts on plant biomass and nutrition, soil enzyme activity, and worm avoidance. In particular, there was little indication that the minimal impact greywater was safer for irrigation than th..