Articles
Assessment of copper residues in organic and traditional olive groves in Greece and Spain and the potential of electrokinetic soil remediation strategies
Article number
1427_12
Pages
93 – 100
Language
English
Abstract
An important environmental and health concern resulting from current olive farming practices is the intensive application of copper-based fungicides, largely applied against diseases.
Serious concerns are though raised regarding copper accumulation and the negative effects on soil organisms, carrying a potential risk for soil fertility.
In parallel, a wide variety of soil remediation technologies exist.
In the case of copper, a main remediation approach includes its mobilization and extraction through an electrokinetic process applied in soil.
In our study 4 olive groves, organic and traditional ones, located in Kalamata (Greece), and 11 olive groves located in Spain, were investigated with regards to the presence of copper at two different soil horizons (0-10 and 10-20 cm). Copper concentration in soil was determine by means of atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) following the ISO 11466:1996 standard (Soil quality – Extraction of trace elements soluble in aqua regia). Electrokinetic remediation was also pilot tested at lab scale by applying two different electric fields (1 and 1.6 V cm‑1) and the addition of different flushing fluids (nitric acid, citric acid and EDTA) to improve the Cu mobility through soil.
Results showed that Cu levels are slightly higher in the upper soil horizon regardless the country.
The mean Cu concentration was lower in organic Spanish groves compared to Greek ones and higher in traditional ones, for both horizons sampled.
Additionally, the overall Cu amount was higher in the traditional than the organic groves in Greece while vice versa in Spain.
Electrokinetic remediation showed that only the free ionic Cu can be mobilized, being most of the copper strongly bounded to soil particles.
This is related to the new copper-biocides formulations, which can become more persistent.
The above findings can support the evaluation of effectiveness of novel remediation practices, as well as help promoting sustainable agricultural practices, including those that contribute to halting or preventing the degradation of the soil ecosystem.
Serious concerns are though raised regarding copper accumulation and the negative effects on soil organisms, carrying a potential risk for soil fertility.
In parallel, a wide variety of soil remediation technologies exist.
In the case of copper, a main remediation approach includes its mobilization and extraction through an electrokinetic process applied in soil.
In our study 4 olive groves, organic and traditional ones, located in Kalamata (Greece), and 11 olive groves located in Spain, were investigated with regards to the presence of copper at two different soil horizons (0-10 and 10-20 cm). Copper concentration in soil was determine by means of atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) following the ISO 11466:1996 standard (Soil quality – Extraction of trace elements soluble in aqua regia). Electrokinetic remediation was also pilot tested at lab scale by applying two different electric fields (1 and 1.6 V cm‑1) and the addition of different flushing fluids (nitric acid, citric acid and EDTA) to improve the Cu mobility through soil.
Results showed that Cu levels are slightly higher in the upper soil horizon regardless the country.
The mean Cu concentration was lower in organic Spanish groves compared to Greek ones and higher in traditional ones, for both horizons sampled.
Additionally, the overall Cu amount was higher in the traditional than the organic groves in Greece while vice versa in Spain.
Electrokinetic remediation showed that only the free ionic Cu can be mobilized, being most of the copper strongly bounded to soil particles.
This is related to the new copper-biocides formulations, which can become more persistent.
The above findings can support the evaluation of effectiveness of novel remediation practices, as well as help promoting sustainable agricultural practices, including those that contribute to halting or preventing the degradation of the soil ecosystem.
Publication
Authors
C. Sáez, C. Navas-Higuero, I.F. Mena, I. Michail, A.J. Manzaneda, V.D. Gkisakis
Keywords
copper, fungicide, olive, remediation, soil health, agroecology
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