Impact of olive mill wastewater (OMW) on the soil hydraulic and solute transport properties

Abstract The Mediterranean area concentrates the world’s largest production of olive oil. oil industry represents, in this basin, one leading sectors agri-food economy. Olive mill water (OMW) is principal waste effluent produced by industry. Due to its high pollution load, aqueous by-product cannot be directly disposed domestic wastewater treatment plants (especially those with a biological unit). Untreated OMW currently used for agronomic purposes several countries, mainly because it rich valuable plant nutrients. However, characterized toxic phenols, organic matter, salinity, suspended solids and other components that may have possible negative effects on chemical physical soil properties, as well activities. In present research, we focused application transport hydraulic properties. Three distinct soils from pedological point view were selected series laboratory steady-state miscible flow tests conducted under saturated conditions, both OMW-treated -untreated columns. Tests disturbed undisturbed approach proposed Kachanoski, based impedance ( Z ) measurements via time domain reflectometry (TDR) technique, was monitor leaching experiments. breakthrough curves (BTCs) exhibited different shapes allowed repercussions applications behaviour distinguished. Several additional cores determine retention (SWRCs) conductivity K s us infer probable mechanisms involved hydrological changes treatments. results show when leaches into immediately after disposal there little effect evaluated hydrodispersive By contrast, demonstrated short incubation period (i.e. contact between soil) 10 days enough exert great influence all values determined (e.g. pore velocity v reduced up order magnitude). These especially evident samples. Graphic