Monitoring and investigation of water and effluent conditions in greenhouse desalination devices in Isfahan province

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Agricultural Engineering Research Institute; Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization, Karaj, Iran

2 Agricultural Engineering Research Department - Isfahan Agricultural and Natural resources Research and Education center, (AREEO), Isfahan, Iran.

Abstract

The decline in quality and quantity of water resources has created a great challenge in the production of greenhouse agricultural products in Iran. Considering the increasing use of water desalination systems in the greenhouses, a research was conducted in Isfahan province (Falawarjan, Isfahan, Mobarakeh and Shahreza counties). Therefore, after visiting and observing various aspects of the use of these devices, samples were taken from well water, desalinated water and the condensed effluent of desalination systems and the methods of effluent disposing of the devices were studied. The results showed that the highest amount of well water salinity was observed in Falawarjan, with an average of 12.41 dS/m and the lowest in Shahreza, with an average of 4.09 dS/m. For condensed effluent of devices, the highest amount of salinity was also observed in Falawarjan, with an average of 16.63 dS/m and the lowest in Shahreza, with an average of 5.41 dS/m. The average salt removal from feed water (returned salt) in all investigated greenhouses in Isfahan province was 73%. In addition, the values of Sodium Absorption Ratio (SAR), Calcium-Magnesium Ratio, Chlorine and Bicarbonate level in water samples was also carried out. Regarding the condensed effluent discharge, the main option with 46% belonged to the release of effluent in the surrounding lands (environment), followed by combined use with well water for open-air agriculture with 27%, discharge to local wells with 18%, and discharge to trenches and the infiltration ponds with 9%, respectively. Due to the lack of monitoring of the implementation and use of these devices and the lack of consideration in waste disposal, a suitable situation was not observed, and with the continuation of the current process, the spread of contamination of water and soil resources is not far from expected.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Monitoring and Investigation of Water and Effluent Conditions in Greenhouse Desalination Devices in Isfahan Province

EXTENDED ABSTRACT

 

Introduction:

The decline in the quality and quantity of available surface and underground water resources has created a great challenge in the production process of the agricultural products, especially in greenhouses. This issue not only affects the continuation of economic production in the existing greenhouses, but also the future plans for the development of agricultural products in controlled environments, which is part of the macro policies in Iran's agricultural sector. Considering the increasing use of water desalination systems in the greenhouses and the need to pay attention to various aspects, including its environmental consequences, a research was conducted in Isfahan province.

 

Materials and Methods:

In this research, in a number of greenhouses with water desalination systems in the areas of Falawarjan, Isfahan, Mobarakeh and Shahreza (counties of Isfahan Province) and after visiting and observing various aspects of the use of these devices, samples were taken from well water, desalinated water and the condensed effluent of desalination systems. Also, the method of disposing of the devices effluent and other supplementary information was collected by local observations, interviews with the manager of each unit and completion of the designed forms.

 

Results and Discussion:

The results showed that the use of water desalination devices has become inevitable in greenhouses due to the decrease in the quality of available water sources. As the most important factor investigated, the highest amount of well water salinity was observed in Falawarjan region, with an average of 12.41 dS/m (and the range of changes between 8.05 to 26.4), and the lowest in Shahreza region, with an average of 4.09 dS/m (changing between 2.2 and 7.38). These values were generally higher than the tolerance of greenhouse plants in those areas, which reduced and stopped plant growth. For desalinated water, the highest amount of salinity was measured in Falawarjan, with an average of 2.68 dS/m (in the range of 0.44 to 6.2) and the lowest was observed in Isfahan, with an average of 1.13 dS/m (and the range of 0.72 to 1.93). As in condensed effluent of devices, the highest amount of salinity was observed in Falawarjan, with an average of 16.63 dS/m (in the range between 9.01 and 28.10) and the lowest in Shahreza, with an average of 5.41 dS/m (and the range of 3.29 to 8.07). Investigations showed that the highest salt removal from feed water (returned salt) occurred with an average of 78.4% in Falawarjan, and the lowest in Shahreza with an average of 62.8%. The total average of salt removal in all investigated greenhouses in Isfahan province was anout 73%. The values of Sodium Absorption Ratio (SAR), Calcium-Magnesium Ratio, Chlorine concentration and Bicarbonate level in water samples were indicative of the effects of using desalinated water in greenhouses and issues related to desalination systems discharge.

 

Conclusions:

Regarding the discharge of concentrated water of desalination systems which is so important as environmental aspects, the observations showed that the main option with 46% belonged to the release of effluent in the surrounding lands (environment), followed by combined use with well water for open-air agriculture with 27%, discharge to local wells with 18%, and discharge to trenches and the infiltration ponds with 9%, respectively. Due to the lack of attention and monitoring of the implementation and use of these devices and the failure to observe the necessary considerations in the disposal of concentrated discharge, a suitable situation was not observed and it seems that with the continuation of the current process, serious problems will arise in terms of water and soil pollution.

References

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Iranian Journal of Soil and Water Research
Volume 54, Issue 10
January 2024
Pages 1503-1520

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