Assessing environmental impacts of reclaimed wastewater irrigation in paddy fields using bioindicator

Irrigation water quality influences many aspects of agroecosystems, but less is known about how complex microbial and biological communities respond to changing water quality due to causes such as reuse irrigation. The objectives of this study are to monitor and assess the environmental impacts of reclaimed wastewater irrigation on water quality and soil that might cause potential health hazards and to assess its agro-environmental effects. Two sites, which are irrigated by filtered wastewater after UV (Ultraviolet) treatment and from an agricultural reservoir that satisfied the agricultural water quality standards of Korea, were selected as treatment and control, respectively. The environmental impacts of irrigation water quality on paddy soil, microorganisms, and arthropods were investigated. Monitoring results for water, soil, health risks, and eco-environments of the reclaimed wastewater irrigation site demonstrated no adverse effects in the paddy field. This research showed that reclaimed wastewater irrigation did not present significant environmental risks for the rice paddy agroecosystem, although long-term monitoring is needed to fully characterize its effects.