PhD Oral Defence: The role of biochar in enhancing safe use of untreated wastewater in agriculture
PhD Oral Defence of Christopher Nzediegwu, Bioresource Engineering
In many developing countries, water scarcity and the growing population are becoming problematic. Therefore, the reuse of wastewater for irrigation provides an alternative management option. Irrigation with poorly treated or untreated wastewater could, however, pose risk to human health due to the presence of a wide range of contaminants, including heavy metals, which can move into the edible parts of various crops such as potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) and spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.). The study aimed to investigate biosorbent role in the remediation of heavy metals in soil and crops irrigated with untreated wastewater. Both aboveground and belowground crops were selected to better assess the effect of rooting system on the plant uptake of heavy metals.
