





























1 

 

In ternationa l
Scholars
Journa ls

 

African Journal of Pig Farming ISSN: 2375-0731 Vol. 12 (1), pp. 001-008, January, 2024. Available online at 
www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals 

 

Author(s) retain the copyright of this article. 

 
 
Full Length Research Paper 

 

Assessing nutrient leaching in red-yellow latosol: 
The role of swine water and irrigation water reuse 

 
Talita Dantas Pedrosa1*, Henrique Takyiuki Ozima2, Roselene Maria Schneider2, 
Adilson Pacheco de Souza2, Ednaldo Antonio de Andrade1 and Luciana Vieira 

Mattos1
 

 
1
Institute of Natural, Human and Social Sciences, Federal University of Mato Grosso - Sinop Campus, Alexandre Ferronato 

Avenue, 1200, 78557-267, Sinop (MT), Brazil. 
2
Institute of Agrarian and Environmental Sciences, Federal University of Mato Grosso - Sinop Campus, Alexandre Ferronato 

Avenue, 1200, 78557-267, Sinop (MT), Brazil. 
 

Accepted 10 August, 2023  
 

This study evaluates some micro- elements, phosphorus, copper and zinc leached in lysimeters with 
red-yellow Latosol under different rates of reused water and irrigation water. This was done for a period 
of 40 days (August to October 2014) at the initial cycle of cauliflower cultivar ‘Verona CMS’, in 

Sinop/Mato Grosso. Reused swine water (0, 50 and 150 m
3
 ha

-1
) was applied in one portion before 

transplanting. Irrigation water of 100, 125 and 150% with crop evapotranspiration potential (ETc) was 
used in a drip irrigation system daily. Leachate samples were taken at 10, 20, 30 and 40 days after 
applying the reused water. With balanced leached phosphorus (P), a higher percentage of P retained in 
the soil was observed, indicating low mobility of this element. The concentrations of copper in the 

leachate were low at 150 m
3
 ha

-1
 rate after the reuse of swine water, at day 20. 150 m

3
 ha

-1
 used in the 

irrigated lysimeters with 100% ETc is a good alternative for vegetable crops with a short cycle (less 
than 40 days), in Sinop/Mato Grosso, as it does not exceed the limits of the Conama Resolution No. 
396/2008. 

 
Key words: Cauliflower, evapotranspiration potential, lysimeters, irrigation.  

 
 
INTRODUCTION 

 
The use of swine wastewater in agriculture is an 
alternative source of nutrients and organic matter (Bertol 
et al., 2010); it grows combined with available elements 
such as phosphorus (P), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) 
(Smanhotto et al., 2010). Although these elements are 
essential for the growth and development of plants, when 
applied in excess, they can become sources of surface  

 
 
 
 

 
and groundwater pollution.  

Phosphorus losses can occur via soil surface and 
subsurface, being potentially greater in sandy soils when 
subjected to high mineral or organic fertilizers. Another 
problem associated with P is the eutrophication of surface 
water that results from superficial runoff and leaching. 
When leaching occurs in groundwater it may 
  

*Corresponding author. E-mail: tdpedrosa2@yahoo.com.br. Tel: (+55) 66 99622-0592. 



2 

 

 
 
 

 

affect surface waters (rivers and lakes) due to 
percolation.  

However, the soil has a high phosphate adsorption 
capacity, and its mobility is lower compared to other 
nutrients; in some cases, phosphorus loss by percolation 
in croplands is considered insignificant. Bertoli et al. 
(2010) showed that phosphorus can be lost with greater 
sensitivity under reused swine water compared to 
fertilization with NPK formulation, thus demonstrating that 
the transport of P is higher under organic sources.  

According to Campos (2010), the movement of Cu and 
Zn in the soil profile depends on the physical and 
chemical properties of each type of soil and the 
physicochemical properties of the metal ion. Cu and Zn 
metals have low mobility in soil profiles and therefore 
tend to accumulate on the ground surface, reducing its 
leaching potential. However, excessive use of wastewater 
can cause losses in the subsurface (Sistani et al., 2008). 
Campos (2010) emphasizes that pH variation, biological 
processes, and chemical toxicity of the element and 
environment also play a fundamental role in the 
availability and mobility of these metals.  

According to Rieuwerts et al. (2006), pH has an 
influence on cationic metal ions, as these ions are more 
mobile in acid pH conditions. However, in pH higher than 

six, these would possibly lead to the dissociation of H
+
 of 

OH groups of the organic matter and Fe and Al oxides. 
This would thus increase the absorption of the metals 
with subsequent precipitation, resulting in the reduction of 
its bioavailabilities.  

In this sense, this study aims to evaluate phosphorus, 
copper and zinc transported in lysimeters with red-yellow 
Latosol, after the application of swine reused water and 
irrigation water at different rates. 
 
 
MATERIALS AND METHODS 
 
Experiment location 
 
The research was conducted at the Federal University of Mato 
Grosso, Sinop University Campus, located in 11°51’S and 55°29’W, 
from August to October 2014.  

Precipitation occurred during the experiment. The soil of the 
experimental area is classified as red-yellow Latosol. By the 
Köppen climate classification, the prevailing climate of the North 
Central region is Aw (hot and humid tropical). It is characterized by 
the presence of two well defined seasons: rainy (from October to 
April) and dry (from May to September); with low annual 
temperature range (between 24 and 27°C) and average annual 
rainfall of 1974 mm (Souza et al., 2013). 

 

Lysimeters 
 
For the leaching study, twenty-seven lysimeters were built, and 
arranged in plate. The distance between each lysimeter was 0.50 
m; they were inserted in trenches of approximately 1.20 m depth 
and 0.30 m diameter (Figure 1). The structure of the lysimeters was 
hard PVC filled with soil, keeping the same sequence as in the 
original profile. The chemical and physical analysis of the soils was 
performed at two depths (0 to 20 cm and 20 to 40 cm) for 

  
  

 
 

 
subsequent filling of the lysimeters.  

To fill the lysimeters, an isolated trench was opened at 
approximately 1.0 m depth; undisturbed samples were taken from 
every trench at a distance of 10 cm to determine the soil density. 
The soil profile in the lysimeter was rebuilt to keep the densities of 
the respective layers. The lysimeter was provided with a collection 
system (funnel and bottle) positioned at the bottom of the trench, 
and wherein leachate was stored for later collection. 

 

Chemical and physical soil analysis 
 
In the chemical analysis performed at soil layer of 0 to 20 cm, 2.46 

to 32.00 mg dm
-3

 was determined for phosphorus and potassium, 

and 2.03 and 1.72 cmol dm
-3

 for calcium and magnesium, 
respectively. The micronutrients, zinc and copper concentrations 

were 3.90 and 0.59 mg dm
-3

, respectively; the concentration of 
aluminum was zero, the pH of H2O was 5.4; cation exchange 

capacity (CEC - pH7.0) was 6.98 cmol dm
-3

 and organic matter 

content was 38.22 g dm
-3

; for the textural analysis, 462, 250 and 

288 g dm
-3

 was identified for the clay, silt and sand, respectively.  
At 20 to 40 cm layer, for the same aforementioned variables, 4.61 

and 55.00 mg dm
-3

 was obtained; 3.75 and 1.30 cmol dm
-3

, 85 and 

0.84 mg dm
-3

 was obtained for P, K, Ca, Mg, Cu and Zn, 
respectively; pH (H2O) was 5.9; cation exchange capacity (CEC - 

pH7.0) was 8.01 cmol dm
-3

 and organic matter content was 43.00 g 

dm
-3

; for the physical analysis of the clay, silt, and sand contents, 

483, 167 and 350 g dm
-3

 respectively was obtained. 

 
Chemical and physical characterization of reused water 
 
Swine reused water was collected from a farm in the municipality of 
Vera/Mato Grosso, after treating with biodigesters.  

The chemical and physical characteristics of the waste (reused 
water) were determined. The following was obtained: 6.85 pH, 

4.970 NTU turbidity, electrical conductivity of 1.1 S m
-1

, total 

dissolved solids concentration of 7.0 g L
-1

, biochemical oxygen 
demand (BOD) of 283.3, total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) of 308.7, 

nitrite (NO2
-
) of 154.7, nitrate (NO3

-
) of 811.36, total phosphorus (P) 

of 150.29, zinc (Zn) of 35,90 and copper concentration (Cu) of 

10.88 mg L
-1

. 

 
Implementation of cultivation 
 
After the chemical and physical soil characterization, the 
supplement chemical fertilizer was calculated following the technical 
recommendations of Zanuzo et al. (2013) for cauliflower cv. Verona.  

In this context, the fertilizer used for cultivation corresponded with 
10 g of urea, 15 g of potassium chloride, 20 g of simple 
superphosphate and 12.5 g of dolomite lime added to the surface of 
each of the lysimeter before transplanting the seedlings. 
Transplanting of cauliflower seedlings was performed in (Brassica 
oleracea L.) Verona CMS variety, manually in each lysimeter, in 
08/03/2014. The spacing was set at 0.50 x 0.50 m (between plants 
and rows).  

After transplanting, drip irrigation system was installed. Daily 
irrigation was done for 40 days by using dripped polyethylene hose 

with 25 cm space between emitters, outflow rate of 7.5 L h
-1

 m
-1

 
and 10 mwc working pressure. 
 
 
Reused water and water irrigation rates 
 
The reused water was applied once on the surface of the 
lysimeters, before transplanting the seedlings at three application 

rates of 0, 50 and 150 m
3
 ha

-1
 yr

-1
. The percentage rates of water 



3 

 

  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
Figure 1. Construction scheme of the lysimeters and disposal in plat with a variation of water 
irrigation rates and reuse water rates. 

 
 

 

used   for   irrigation   were   100,   125   and   150%   of   crop RESULTS AND DISCUSSION      
 

evapotranspiration (ETc), obtained from Equation 2.              
 

The rates  were  determined  according  to  the  daily reference 
Volume of water applied and collected 

    
 

evapotranspiration (ET0), obtained by the method of Class A Tank.     
 

            
 

It considers the product between the evaporation of Class A Tank 
The highest percentage of ETc generated higher volumes 

 

(ECA) and the tank coefficient (Kp), depending on the tank type, 
 

weather  conditions  and  its  location. With an average  value, Kp of water used for irrigation, regardless of the season; total 
 

(0.7795) was estimated for the municipality of Sinop/Mato Gross. volume of  179.73, 224.67,  269.61 L  of water  led  to 
 

The value of the crop coefficient Kc (0.65) was used in the ETc increments of 0.25 and 50% ETc. However, there was a  

calculation. 
 

 

 tendency to reduce the volume applied daily throughout  

   
 

ET0  ECA * Kp 

 the experimental time for all slides due to the reduction of 
 

(1) ET0 (Table 1).           
 

ET   ET * Kc 
 This research was conducted in an area with annual 

 

(2) 
rainfalls of 2,000 mm yr

-1
, in seven months, from October 

 

c 0 
to April (Souza et al., 2013). Thus, using irrigation water  

   
 

Where, ET0 is the daily reference evapotranspiration (L m
-2

); ETc is rates  (125  and  150%)  higher  than  the  100%  ETc  is 
 

the  evapotranspiration  of  daily  culture  (L  m
-2

);  ECA  is  the fundamental for the generation of leachate and 
 

evaporation of the daily class A tank (L m
2
); Kp is the coefficient of understanding the movement of P, Cu and Zn, in periods  

the tank; Kc is the crop coefficient depending on the development  

of rainfalls higher than the demand for cauliflower. 
 

 

stage.    
 

  

As for the volume of water collected, the data showed a 
 

   
 

   significant  interaction  between  the  irrigation  rate  and 
 

Collection and samples analysis  time, and also between water reuse rate and irrigation 
 

Four leachate collections were done (10, 20, 30 and 40 days after 
rate.  In Table 2,  it was observed that,  the collection 

 

volume was  greater with higher  supply of water for  
application of the wastewater) with the experiment. The leached  

irrigation. In all the collection times, there was a reduction 
 

elements evaluated were P, Cu, Zn ions and H
+
 concentration, and 

 

the  volume  of  water  applied  and  collected  was  monitored.  The in the volume collected at 125 and 150% ETc rates. This 
 

analyses were carried out in the waste treatment and integrated reduction  is  caused  by  irrigation  since  excess  water 
 

laboratory  for  research  in  chemical  sciences,  following  the promotes translocation of solid particles of soil (mainly 
 

methodology  described  in  standard  Methods  of  Water  and clays), which in turn favors the process of soil storage 
 

Wastewater (APHA, 2012).  within the lysimeters, reducing its permeability over time.  

   
 

   However, even with the replacement of 100% ETc, the 
 

Evaluation and statistical analysis of data  formation of leachate lysimeters was observed.   
 

The experimental design is a randomized block subdivided into a 
According to Barros et al. (2009), the determination of 

 

the reference evapotranspiration (ET0) by Class A tank 
 

factorial plot of 3 x 3 x 4 (application rates x irrigation water rates x provides overestimation even  when  Kp is regionally  
collection times), with three repetitions. The results obtained were  

calibrated. The total volume collected at 
 

100, 125 and  
statistically evaluated and submitted to analysis of variance and F  

 

150  ETc  was 8.86, 10.72  and  12.72% of  the  applied 
 

test;  the  means  were  compared  by  the  Scott  Knott  test  at  5%  

volume, respectively. 
        

 

significance. The statistical package used was Sisvar 5.5 Build 82.         
 



4 

 

  
 
 

 
Table 1. Volume of irrigation in liters subjected to different water irrigation 
rates and collection times.  

 
 

Time (days) 
Water irrigation rates (% ETc)* 

 

 
100 125 150 

 

  
 

 10 59.85 
Ca

 74.81
Ba

 89.78
Aa

 
 

 20 55.18 
Cb

 68.98
Bb

 82.77
Ab

 
 

 30 30.91 
Cd

 38.64
Bd

 46.37
Ad

 
 

 40 33.79 
Cc

 42.24
Bc

 50.69
Ac

 
 

 Total (L) 179.73 224.67 269.61 
 

 
*Means followed by the same lowercase letter in the columns and capitals in rows 
do not differ by the Scott Knott test at 5% probability. 

 
 

 
Table 2. The volume of collected water in liters, subjected to different water 
irrigation rates and collection times.  

 
 

Time (days) 
 Water irrigation rates (% ETc)* 

 

 

100 125 150 
 

  
 

 10 5.14
Ca

 8.19
Ba

 11.96
Aa

 
 

 20 3.61
Ca

 5.87
Bb

 8.51
Ab

 
 

 30 3.50
Ba

 4.89
Bb

 6.89
Ac

 
 

 40 3.68
Ba

 5.14
Bb

 6.94
Ac

 
 

 Total (L) 15.93 24.09 34.30 
 

 
*Means followed by the same lowercase letter in the columns and capitals in 
rows do not differ by the Scott Knott test at 5% probability. 

 
 

 
Table 3. The volume of water collected in liters, submitted to different water irrigation rates and water 
reuse application rates. 

 

 
Water irrigation rates (% ETc) 

Reuse water rates (m
3
 ha

-1
) *  

 

 

0 50 150 Total (L) 
 

  
 

 100 3.80 
Ac

 4.10 
Ac

 4.10 
Ab

 12.00 
 

 125 5.56 
Ab

 6.06 
Ab

 6.45 
Aa

 18.07 
 

 150 10.34 
Aa

 8.59 
Ba

 6.79 
Ca

 25.72 
 

 
*Means followed by the same lowercase letter in the columns and capitals in rows do not differ by the Scott 

Knott test at 5% probability. 
 
 

 

Table 3 shows the interactions of irrigation water rates 
and reused water rates, observing that the leached 
volume increased with an increase rate, regardless of the 
wastewater percentages applied. In the highest irrigated 
rate without wastewater, higher leached volumes 
occurred (10.34 L). The variation of the rates was 
significant only at 150%. In this case, there was a 
reduction in the volume collected with increased rates. 
The total collected volume was also higher for the greater 
rate (25.72 L).  

The difference between the volume of water applied 
and collected indicates that the rest of the remaining 
water content was required by the atmosphere for 
evaporation and/or was stored in the soil pores. 

 
 
 

 

pH 

 
The pH of the samples was assessed by the 

concentration of H
+
 ions. The transport of ions showed a 

significant interaction for rate x time and residual water 

rate x rate. The transport of H
+
 ions was significant only 

for 40 days after the application of wastewaters; it was 
the highest concentration observed at 150% ETc rate 
(Table 4).  

The pH is acidic throughout the experimental period, 
although it has been observed that the unfolding time 
results were only significant at 150% ETc rate. In this 
case, the mineralization of organic matter and nitrogen, 
as well as the reduction of soil CEC can cause 



5 

 

 
 
 

 

Table 4. Concentration of ion H
+
 (L

-1
 mg) and pH values (in parentheses) submitted to different water 

irrigation rates and collection times.  
 

 
Time (days) 

  Water irrigation rates (% ETc)*   
 

 

100 125 150 
 

  
 

 10 0.56x10
-06

 
Aa

 (6.45) 0.84x10
-06

 
Aa

 (6.21) 0.61x10
-06 Ac

 (6.38) 
 

 20 0.37x10
-06

 
Aa

 (6.56) 0.42x10
-06

 
Aa

 (6.47) 0.22x10
-06

 
Ac

 (6.75) 
 

 30 0.75x10
-06

 
Aa

 (6.20) 1.58x10
-06

 
Aa

 (5.93) 1.91x10
-06

 
Ab

 (5.96) 
 

 40 1.08x10
-06 Ba

 (6.02) 1.42x10
-06

 
Ba

 (5.92) 3.81x10
-06

 
Aa

 (5.68) 
 

 
*Means followed by the same lowercase letter in the columns and capitals in rows do not differ by the Scott 

Knott test at 5% probability. Note: pH values were transformed into H
+
 ions using [H

+
] = 10^(-pH). 

 
 
 

Table 5. Concentration of H
+
 ions (mg L

-1
) and pH values (in parentheses) submitted to different water irrigation rates and 

reuse water application rate. 
 

 
Water irrigation rates (% ETc) 

  Reuse water rates (m
3
 ha

-1
)*  

 

 

0 
 

50 
 

150 
 

    
 

 100 0.81x10
-06 Ab

 (6.25) 0.78x10
-06

 
Aa

 (6.18) 4.64x10
-07

 
Aa

 (6.50) 
 

 125 0.67x10
-06

 
Ab

 (6.31) 1.70x10
-06

 
Aa

 (5.90) 8.21x10
-07

 
Aa

 (6.19) 
 

 150 2.66x10
-06

 
Aa

 (6.06) 1.49x10
-06

 
Ba

 (6.26) 7.57x10
-07

 
Ba

 (6.40) 
 

 
*Means followed by the same lowercase letter in the columns and capitals in rows do not differ by the Scott Knott test at 5% 

probability. Note: pH values were transformed into H
+
 ions using [H

+
] = 10^(-pH). 

 
 
 

solubilization of H
+
 ions, causing its increase in leachate 

and reducing the pH over time. At 40 days, after the 
reuse of swine water it was observed that at 125 and 

150% there was a higher concentration of H
+
 ions. 

Table 5 shows the data of the interaction rate x rate, 

corroborating the fact that the transport of H
+
 ions was 

significant only at 150%, with higher and lower 
concentrations in the lysimeters that did not receive 
wastewater and with the highest rates, respectively 

(2.66x10
-6

 pH value 6.06; 1.49x10
-6

 pH value 6.26, and 

7.57x10
-6

 pH value 6.40). The evaluation of the H 
+
 ion 

transport in the rate x rate interaction indicates it was 
significant only in the lysimeters withot waste water, 
which increased with increased rates.  

Soil acids interfere with the proper development of 
roots; being necessary to carry out liming for acidity 
correction. Thus, acid in soils can be a concern 
considering that productivity can be affected. In this 
sense, the rate that provided higher transport of ions out 
of the zone of the root system of the plant was 150% 

ETc, observed in 0 rate, with a concentration of H
+
 ions of 

2.66x10
-6

. Therefore, 50 and 150 m
3
 h

-1
 rates were 

similar to the effect observed in this interaction with 150% 
ETc. 
 

 

Phosphorus 

 

Table 6 shows that phosphorus leached in irrigation water 
at days 10 and 30, after application of wastewater 

 
 
 

 

did not differ statistically. However, P leached significantly 
increased after 20 days with increased irrigation water 
percent. At day 40, this behavior differed from other 
samplings since there was an increase in the leaching of 
P between 100 and 125% ETc, with a further reduction 
from 125 to 150% ETc.  

P mobility in soil is very low, thus justifying the fact that 
the losses caused by leaching in arable soils are 
considered insignificant. The available phosphorus 
content usually tends to decrease with depth, following 
the content of soil organic matter. P applied at 
concentration exceeding the culture of demand can lead 
to leaching of this element in soil profile.  

According to Maggi et al. (2011), evaluating the 
leachate impacts on drainage lysimeters at different times 
of collection, under different swine wastewater rates 
during the soy crop cycle observed quadratic regression 
models for phosphorus concentrations in the leachate 
over time. This approach confirms the data found in this 
work, which despite not having adjusted regression 
models showed that the P concentrations in the leachate 
increased and soon after decreased.  

At 100 and 125% ETc, after the application of 
wastewaters at day 20, there were lower concentrations 
of P in the leachate over 150% ETc. This result indicates 
that P concentrations subjected with diiferent rates were 
very heterogeneous with respect to the various collection 
times.  

Table 7 shows the total average concentrations of the 
phosphorus obtained from the reused water and collected 



6 

 

  
 
 

 

Table 6. Concentration of P (mg L
-1

) submitted to different water irrigation 
rates and collection times.  

 

Time (days) 
Water irrigation rates (% ETc)* 

 

100 125 150 
 

 
 

10 0.12
Ab

 0.10
Ac

 0.28
Ab

 
 

20 1.30
Ba

 1.57
Ba

 2.32
Aa

 
 

30 0.30
Ab

 0.31
Ac

 0.42
Ab

 
 

40 0.08
Bb

 0.96
Ab

 0.01
Bb

 
 

 
*Means followed by the same lowercase letter in the columns and capitals in 
rows do not differ by the Scott Knott test at 5% probability. 

 
 

 
Table 7. Total P average concentration applied and leached (in 4 collections) and the average nutrient retained in the soil. 

 

Water irrigation rates (% ETc)   Reuse water rates (m
3
 ha

-1
) P apllied (mg) P leached (mg) P in soil (mg) 

 

 T0 0.00 1.82 - 
 

L100 
T50 13.53 1.68 11.85 

 

T150 40.58 2.44 38.14  

 
 

 T0 0.00 3.89 - 
 

L125 
T50 13.53 3.58 9.95 

 

T150 40.58 5.87 34.71  

 
 

 T0 0.00 8.37 - 
 

L150 
T50 13.53 6.96 6.57 

 

T150 40.58 4.48 36.10  

 
 

 
Li: water irrigation rate; Ti: reuse water rates; P: phosphorus. 

 
 

 

in lysimeters and average nutrient retained in the soil. 
From the results, a higher concentration of P was leached 

at 150% ETc; at 0 m
3
 h

-1
 rate, there was a concentration 

of 8.37 mg L
-1

 and at 100 and 125% ETc, there was an 
increase of P rates in the leachate. At 150% ETc, a 
decrease was observed in P leachate concentration due 
to increased concentration of P.  

The P concentration in the leachate was lower than the 

concentration applied, at a rate of 50 to 150 m
3
 h

-1
 for the 

three evaluated rates. In the treatment without 
wastewater, P concentrations in the leachate were 
observed at the three irrigation water rates, resulting from 
leaching of existing sources in soil and additional 
chemical fertilization performed with superphosphate in 
the experiment.  

The balanced P applied and leached in lysimeters 
showed that most of the nutrient was retained in the soil 
and, therefore, available for the culture and various 
irrigation water rates L2 to L3. This led to a reduction of 
the P leached only in T150, ranging from 5.87 to 4.48 mg, 
respectively. The results found by Chahal et al. (2011) 
corroborate with this research since phosphorus and 
potassium concentrations were observed in the leachate, 
and are lower than the wastewater concentrations used. 

 
 
 

 

Copper 

 
Table 8 shows Cu concentration in the leachate under 
various wastewater rates and collection times. Changes 
were observed in Cu concentration in the leachate only at 
20 and 40 days after the application of wastewater. The 
mobility of Cu in this study was much reduced because 

the leachable concentrations did not exceed 0.044 mg L
-

1
, indicating that part of the metal applied by the effluent 

was retained in the soil particles inside the lysimeters 
and/or was absorbed by the used culture.  

The copper concentrations obtained were lower as 
observed by Barros et al. (2003), in which swine effluents 
subjected to integrated treatment under soil deformed 
columns were applied. From their study, a leached 
maximum concentration of Cu with value around 0.06 mg 

L
-1

 was obtained. Messias et al. (2007) observed low 

movement of Fe, Zn and Cu with sewage sludge 
contents, and Cu concentrations observed in soil without 
wastewater proved to be uniform in depth. However, in 
the soils containing swine waste, the authors observed 
higher metal concentrations in surface layers (0 to 5.0 
cm). According to Oliveira and Mattiazzo (2001), low 
movement may be related to mechanisms of 



7 

 

 
 
 

 

Table 8. Concentration of Cu (mg L
-1

) submitted under different reuse water rates and 
collection times. 

 

 
Time (days) 

 Reuse water rates (m
3
 ha

-1
)* 

 

 

0 50 150 
 

  
 

 10 0.012 
Ab

 0.013
Ac

 0.014
Ab

 
 

 20 0.015 
Bb

 0.028
Ab

 0.021
Bb

 
 

 30 0.015 
Ab

 0.017
Ac

 0.012
Ab

 
 

 40 0.031 
Ba

 0.039
Aa

 0.044
Aa

 
 

 
*Means followed by the same lowercase letter in the columns and capitals in rows do not 

differ by the Scott Knott test at 5% probability. 
 
 

 

Table 9. Zn concentration (mg L
-1

) submitted to different water rates reuse and water 
irrigation rates. 

 

 
Water irrigation rates (% ETc) 

Reuse water rates (m
3
 ha

-1
)* 

 

 

0 50 150 
 

  
 

 100 0.139 
Bb

 0.322 
Aa

 0.228 
Bb

 
 

 125 0.201 
Bb

 0.306 
Aa

 0.376 
Aa

 
 

 150 0.486 
Aa

 0.385 
Ba

 0.349 
Ba

 
 

 
*Means followed by the same lowercase letter in the columns and capitals in rows do not differ by 
the Scott Knott test at 5% probability. 

 
 

 

adsorption/desorption, precipitation/dissolution, 
complexation, and redox.  

The collection done at day 20 showed an increased 

concentration of the element at 50 m
3
 ha

-1
, while at day 

40, the highest Cu concentrations occurred in soils 
containing wastewater. There was a noted trend of 
increased Cu concentration in all the three evaluated 
rates over time. In this case, the presence of Cu metal 
regardless of the rate was increased by fertilization 
cultivation.  

According to Messias et al. (2007), from the evaluation 
of iron, copper, zinc and cadmium movement in soil 
treated with sewage sludge, higher sludge dose 
increased the leachates elements concentration, except 
for copper. In short, the lower Cu concentrations found in 
the leachate were observed at 0 rates in all collection 
times. At day 20, there were no differences between the 

rates of 0 and 150 m3 ha
-1

, being characterized as the 

period and rates that provided lower losses of Cu 
leaching. With observed low concentration of Cu under 
the experimental conditions and considering that the use 
of waste can occur for decades, it is necessary to monitor 
groundwater to ensure metals do not concentrate on the 
water resource. 
 

 

Zinc 

 

The zinc concentration showed an increased changes 

with increasing irrigation rate at 0 and 150 m
3
 h

-1
 (Table 

 
 
 

 

9), ranging from 0.139 to 0.486 mg L
-1

 and 0.228 to 0.349 

mg L
-1

, respectively.  
The variation of reused water rates had a significant 

effect on metal leaching in any of the observed rates, and 
control plots. Zn leaching was also observed, which might 
be due to fertilizer incorporated in the soil. Since the plots 
did not receive an effluent and have a lower organic 
matter content compared to other lysimeters, the lowest 
content of organic matter may have provided greater 
leaching of Zn. The presence of organic matter provides 
negative charges to the ground, and this in turn acts to 
maintain the positively charged elements adsorbed (as 
Cu and Zn), which consequently reduces mobility in the 
soil profile.  

The affinity of metals with soil varies according to the 
type, amount of organic matter, cation exchange capacity 
(CEC), pH, clay quantity, mineralogy, and other 
characteristics; and it is also influenced by characteristics 
of metals. According to Paganini et al. (2004), a large 
amount of Zn can be fixed in the organic fraction of the 
soil, and may be temporarily fixed in microorganisms after 
the addition of organic matter in the soil. In this context, it 
is evident that treatment with a replacement of 100% 

ETc, at 0 rates and 150 m
3
 ha

-1
 led to lower losses of Zn 

in the cauliflower.  
Table 10 shows that the increase in reused water rates 

applied to the lysimeters was significant only for 40 days, 
with an increase in Zn losses in the lysimeters under 
effluent application. This behavior can be explained 
based on pH (Table 4), while Campos (2010) states that 



8 

 

 

  
 
 

 

Table 10. Zn Concentration (mg L
-1

) submitted to different water reuse rates and 
collection times. 

 

Time (days) 
 Reuse water rates (m

3
 ha

-1
)* 

 

0 50 150 
 

 
 

10 0.201
Ac

 0.213
Ac

 0.183
Ac

 
 

20 0.217
Ac

 0.268
Ac

 0.279
Ab

 
 

30 0.402
Aa

 0.349
Ab

 0.397
Aa

 
 

40 0.280
Bb

 0.521
Aa

 0.412
Aa

 
 

 
*Means followed by the same lowercase letter in the columns and capitals in rows do not 
differ by the Scott Knott test at 5% probability. 

 

 

low pH values favor lixiviation and availability of metals in 
the soil. Increase in pH increases the CEC which allows 
the formation of chelates from the organic material, 
decreasing its mobility in soil.  

According to Messias et al. (2007), evaluating the 
mobility of micronutrients there were no observed 
variations in the leaching of Cu and Zn over time (60 
days), even for soils with a higher concentration of 

sewage sludge (75 mg h
-1

). In this sense, the rate of 150 

m3 ha
-1

 reused water was a good choice for nutrient 
supply of cauliflower until 30 days. The data evaluated at 
40 days showed higher Zn concentrations compared to 
other evaluated periods. It is noteworthy that the 
continued application of reused water in the soil as a 
source of nutrients for crops can cause groundwater 
contamination, due mainly to changes in the 
concentrations of Cu and Zn based on the provisions of 
Conama resolution No. 396/2008 (maximum values of 2.0 

and 5.0 mg L
-1

 for copper and zinc, respectively). 
 
 
Conclusion 

 
The volume of leaching increased with increasing amount 
of water supplied by irrigation; however, it decreased with 
increased swine wastewater rates. At 100 and 125% ETc, 

there were higher concentrations of H
+
 ions at day 40, 

after the application of swine wastewater.  
P leached concentrations were higher at day 20 after the 
wastewater application, regardless of the irrigation water 
rates. The smaller Cu concentrations found in the 

leachate were observed at 150 m
3
 ha

-1
 rates at 20 days 

after application of reused water.  
The application of 150 m

3
 ha

-1
 and replacement of 

100% ETc can be indicated as a good alternative for 
short cycled vegetables (less than 40 days), as the 
concentrations of Cu and Zn did not exceed the limits of 
Conama resolution No. 396/2008, at this interval, for red-
yellow Latosol. 
 

 

CONFLICT OF INTERESTS 

 

The authors have not declared any conflict of interests. 

 
 

 
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