Effects of municipal wastewater on accumulation of heavy metals in soil and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) with two irrigation methods.

A study was carried out to investigate the effects of municipal wastewater on accumulation of heavy metals in soil and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) with two irrigation methods. Soil samplings of 0 to 20 cm depth were taken from Fereydoonshahr area in Isfahan province in the center of Iran. Wheat was transplanted in these soils. The experiment consisted of four treatments including soil irrigation with water by FI (Flooding Irrigation) (T1) and DI system (Drip Irrigation) (T2), soil irrigation with wastewater by FI (T3) and DI system (T4). Soil characteristics such as soil reaction (pH), electrical conductivity (EC), organic matter (OM), extractable Fe, manganese, nickel and cadmium were measured before and after the test. After 40 days, samples were taken for testing. The evidences provided by this experiment indicated that urban wastewater caused increase of heavy metals in wheat with both irrigation methods. Accumulation of heavy metals in roots was more than in shoots in FI and DI system. These results showed that the accumulation of heavy metals in wheat in FI system was more important than in DI system.