title: Effect of Olive Mill Wastewater Spreading on Soil Properties.
abstract: The effect of untreated olive mill wastewater (OMW) spreading on chemical and biological soil properties of two different fields located in Campania (Italy) was investigated. Fields were irrigated since 2003 with quantities of about 30 m(3) ha(-1) year(-1), a volume lower than the maximum limit of 80 m(3) ha(-1) year(-1) established by Italian law. Results showed that the addition of OMW, even if repeated for many years, had little impact on pH, electrical conductivity, organic matter, concentrations of main cations and polyphenolic content of both soil plots; moreover, microbial respiration was low during the winter time, but an increase was evident in the second sampling carried out in warm season. This study suggests that OMW, without pre-treatments, can be annually used for crops and tree irrigation. As a consequence, OMW should be a readily and inexpensive source of nutrients that could replace chemical fertilizers which are extensively employed in agricultural practices of Mediterranean countries.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Agro-environmental and Forest Biology (IBAF), National Research Council (CNR), via P. Castellino 111, 80131, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Filomena M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Vella
authors.affiliation: Institute of Agro-environmental and Forest Biology (IBAF), National Research Council (CNR), via Salaria Km 29,300, 00015, Monterotondo, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Emanuela
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Galli
authors.affiliation: Institute of Agro-environmental and Forest Biology (IBAF), National Research Council (CNR), via P. Castellino 111, 80131, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Calandrelli
authors.affiliation: Experimental Station for the Industry of the Essential Oils and Citrus Products (SSEA) - Special Agency of the Chamber of Commerce of Reggio Calabria, via T. Campanella, 12, 89125, Reggio Calabria, Italy.
authors.forename: Domenico
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cautela
authors.affiliation: Institute of Agro-environmental and Forest Biology (IBAF), National Research Council (CNR), via P. Castellino 111, 80131, Naples, Italy. bruna.laratta@ibaf.cnr.it.
authors.forename: Bruna
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Laratta
mesh_terms: D000383:Agriculture; D007220:Industrial Waste / Q000032:analysis*; D007558:Italy; D031658:Olea; D012621:Seasons; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry*; D012988:Soil Microbiology; D062065:Wastewater / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D007220:Industrial Waste; D012987:Soil; D062065:Wastewater
keywords: Organic matter; Polyphenolic compounds; Soil fertilization; Waste disposal