Water, Wastewater, Waste Management in Agriculture and Agri-Food Industry

A special issue of Water (ISSN 2073-4441). This special issue belongs to the section "Wastewater Treatment and Reuse".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (28 February 2023) | Viewed by 22108

Special Issue Editors

Department of Biosystems Engineering, Poznań Uniwersity of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 50, 60-627 Poznań, Poland
Interests: waste management; biomass; biofuels production; renewable energy; organic fertilizers; sustainable development; environmental protection; circular economy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Department of Biosystems Engineering, Poznań Uniwersity of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 50, 60-627 Poznań, Poland
Interests: waste management; municipal solid waste; biowaste; biological and thermal waste treatment; waste to energy processes; circular economy; sewage sludge treatment

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Sustainable development is one of the most important challenges of the 21st century. On the other hand, society’s impact on the environment is becoming increasingly evident. It concerns almost every country in the world. Despite the development of newer technologies, many people still do not have access to the appropriate quality resources, including but not limited to food and water. Therefore in the light of circular economy becoming a globally acknowledged philosophy, water, food, and other resources should be protected both qualitatively and quantitatively.

This Special Issue titled “Water, Wastewater, Waste Management in Agriculture and Agri-Food Industry” will cover topics related to sustainable water, sewage, and waste management, including resource reduction, treatment, and environmental impact.

Prof. Dr. Wojciech Czekała
Dr. Jakub Pulka
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Water is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • water management
  • wastewater
  • waste management
  • wastewater reduction
  • wastewater treatment
  • waste reduction
  • agri-food industry
  • sustainable development
  • circular economy
  • waste to energy
  • sewage sludge treatment

Published Papers (10 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

10 pages, 1482 KiB  
Article
Water Disappearance and Manure Production at Growing–Finishing Commercial Pig Farms in Brazil—A Simplified Model Approach
by Jorge Manuel Rodrigues Tavares, Janice da Conceição Lopes, Paulo Belli Filho, Arlei Coldebella and Paulo Armando Victória de Oliveira
Water 2023, 15(2), 278; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/w15020278 - 09 Jan 2023
Viewed by 1375
Abstract
The aim of this study was to fit water disappearance and manure production curves at growing–finishing commercial pig farms and compare the curve that best describes the evolution of parameters evaluated, according to three variables: age, body weight, and pigs’ housing period. Accordingly, [...] Read more.
The aim of this study was to fit water disappearance and manure production curves at growing–finishing commercial pig farms and compare the curve that best describes the evolution of parameters evaluated, according to three variables: age, body weight, and pigs’ housing period. Accordingly, 33 production cycles were evaluated considering a housing period of 105 days (13,276 pigs—nine weeks old and 24.5 kg average body weight) during 13 months in 15 commercial pig farms located in southern Brazil. The variables analyzed were used to adjust the water disappearance and manure production curves (Brody, Gompertz, Logistic, Richards, and Von Bertalanffy) and to estimate its biological parameters according to the NLMIXED SAS procedures. It was found that the Logistic model was the one that best described both the water disappearance and the manure production, displaying an asymptotic adjustment and estimated values measured in farms, e.g., pigs age (water: R² = 0.989, absolute error: 1.11 L/pig/day, and prediction error = 1.32%; manure: R² = 0.995, absolute error = 0.04 L/pig/day, and prediction error = 0.96%). It is emphasized that the models determined in this research are the basis of the development of an instantaneous measuring device that allows the producer to visualize both the water disappearance (plotting the daily measures) as well as manure production in the farm and compare the values with the estimated curves. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 3067 KiB  
Article
Variability in the Chemical Composition of Spring Waters in the Postomia River Catchment (Northwest Poland)
by Marcin Siepak, Agnieszka Lewandowska and Mariusz Sojka
Water 2023, 15(1), 157; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/w15010157 - 31 Dec 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2086
Abstract
The paper presents the results of physicochemical analyses of spring waters in the Postomia River valley (Northwest Poland). Multivariate statistical methods, i.e., cluster analysis (CA) and principal component analysis (PCA) were used to assess the spatial distribution of similarities and differences in the [...] Read more.
The paper presents the results of physicochemical analyses of spring waters in the Postomia River valley (Northwest Poland). Multivariate statistical methods, i.e., cluster analysis (CA) and principal component analysis (PCA) were used to assess the spatial distribution of similarities and differences in the concentrations of individual elements. Concentrations of macro elements (MEs), trace elements (TEs) and rare-earth elements (REEs) were analysed concerning the spring’s typology, land use structure and the distance from roads. The results showed that the springs waters are of the Ca2+-HCO3 and Ca2+-HCO3-SO42− types, medium hardness and low mineralisation. The study revealed differences between valley springs and scarp-foot springs in terms of electrical conductivity and concentrations of F, SO42−, NO3, Mg2+, Ba, Zn, and U. Greater variability was observed between the physical and chemical conditions of the spring waters due to their location in terms of land use. Springs located in agricultural areas had lower pH values than those in other areas, and higher NO3 concentrations. The pH values and concentrations of Fe, Mo, Rb, and Th in urban areas were higher than in agricultural areas. Moreover, the concentrations of F, Cl, K+, Na+, Mo, Sb, Se, and Sr were higher in urban areas than in forested areas. The study shows that only HCO3 values and SO42− concentrations were related to the distance from the road network. The concentrations of Cl, SO42−, and K+ were higher in the waters of springs located more than 50 m from the road network. The Ca and PCA analysis did not permit the identification of a single dominant origin of pollutants, suggesting an interaction of different types of pollution sources. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

11 pages, 592 KiB  
Article
Digestate as a Source of Nutrients: Nitrogen and Its Fractions
by Wojciech Czekała
Water 2022, 14(24), 4067; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/w14244067 - 13 Dec 2022
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2694
Abstract
Due to fossil-fuel-limitation constraints, new energy sources are being sought. On the other hand, organic fertilizers that can be used in agriculture are increasingly being sought. One of the renewable energy sources is biogas produced from substrates large in organic matter. Apart from [...] Read more.
Due to fossil-fuel-limitation constraints, new energy sources are being sought. On the other hand, organic fertilizers that can be used in agriculture are increasingly being sought. One of the renewable energy sources is biogas produced from substrates large in organic matter. Apart from biogas, the product of the anaerobic digestion process is digestate. Due to the high content of nutrients, mainly nitrogen, this product can be successfully used as a fertilizer. This study aims to determine the content of total nitrogen (Ntot) and its selected fractions in the raw and processed digestate from agricultural biogas plants. The nitrogen fractions included N-NH4, N-NO3, and Norganic. The total nitrogen content (Ntot) and its fraction in raw digestate were determined. Samples used for the research came from five agricultural biogas plants. Separation into liquid and solid fractions is one of the methods for digestate management. The nitrogen content in selected samples obtained after separation of digestate in a biogas plant and on a laboratory scale was also checked. The obtained results show that digestate from agricultural biogas plants is a nitrogen-rich fertilizer. The content of Ntot in the tested samples ranged from 1.63 g∙kg−1 to 13.22 g∙kg−1 FM. The N-NH4 content in the analyzed material ranged from 0.75 to 4.75 g∙kg−1 FM. The determined physical and chemical properties confirm that the raw and processed digestate is characterized by appropriate fertilization properties, with particular emphasis on the content of Ntot and the share of its mineral forms. Based on the chemical composition, digestate from agricultural biogas plants can be considered a multi-component fertilizer. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

9 pages, 238 KiB  
Article
Sequential Analysis of Phosphorus Compounds Contained in the Substrates and the Digestate
by Józefa Wiater
Water 2022, 14(22), 3655; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/w14223655 - 13 Nov 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1099
Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine the properties of the components used for fermentation and digestate. The content of phosphorus and its fraction in the substrate mixture undergoing fermentation in the real agricultural biogas plant and in the digestate was determined. [...] Read more.
The aim of this study was to determine the properties of the components used for fermentation and digestate. The content of phosphorus and its fraction in the substrate mixture undergoing fermentation in the real agricultural biogas plant and in the digestate was determined. The research was carried out based on substrate and digestate samples from an agricultural biogas plant with a production capacity of up to 1 MW (Mega Watt). The biogas plant operates in a continuous system. To ensure optimal operating conditions of the installation, it is necessary to provide substrates with appropriate quality and composition throughout the year. The substrate consists mainly of maize silage, poultry manure and potato pulp. In the study, samples of individual substrates and digestate were taken in four terms. The time of collection depended on the fraction of individual substrates in the charge composition. In the first term, the fraction of three substrates in the orchard was as follows: 79%—maize silage, 15%—poultry manure, and 6%—potato pulp. In the second term, it reached 82%, 10% and 8%, respectively, in the third 83%, 8% and 9%, and the fourth 80%, 6% and 14%. Eight samples of the substrates and digestate were collected every time. The samples were determined considering the content of dry matter, organic matter and the total content of phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, potassium, nitrogen, iron, and the pH value. After drying the samples, the fractions were determined by the phosphorus method with the Sequential Chang–Jackson extraction with subsequent modifications by Petersen and Corey. Measurements were made using the ICP-AES method. The following fractions were isolated: P-lab. (labile) labile phosphorus, P-Al phosphorus in aluminium phosphates, P-Fe phosphorus in gel phosphates, P-red.(reduced), P-ok. (occluded) the fraction of occluded phosphates absorbed on the surface of mineral particles, P-Ca phosphorus in calcium phosphates. It was found that the physicochemical composition of the feed and digestate was determined by the content of about 80% of maize silage in fermented substrates. The addition of substrates in the form of poultry manure and potato pulp influenced the content of total phosphorus and slightly modified the content of individual fractions in it. The fermentation process, to some extent, decreased the share of fraction I (mobile) and fraction II (combined with aluminium), increased the share of fraction VI (combination with calcium) and had no significant effect on the others. Digestate is a material rich in macronutrients and should be used as a fertilizer. The dosage of digestate used for fertilisation should be preceded by a knowledge of the soils and the requirements of the cultivated plants in order to prevent mobile phosphorus fractions from entering surface waters and increasing the eutrophication process. Full article
19 pages, 6634 KiB  
Article
The Impact of Land Cover on Selected Water Quality Parameters in Polish Lowland Streams during the Non-Vegetative Period
by Maksym Łaszewski, Michał Fedorczyk and Krzysztof Stępniewski
Water 2022, 14(20), 3295; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/w14203295 - 19 Oct 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2979
Abstract
The search for the best landscape predictors explaining the spatial variability of stream water chemistry is one of the most important and recent research issues. Thus, in the current study, relationships between land cover indices and selected water quality parameters were evaluated regarding [...] Read more.
The search for the best landscape predictors explaining the spatial variability of stream water chemistry is one of the most important and recent research issues. Thus, in the current study, relationships between land cover indices and selected water quality parameters were evaluated regarding the example of 54 lowland temperate streams located in central Poland. From November 2021 to March 2022, water samples were collected in the monthly timescale, and the concentrations of NH4+, NO3, and NO2, as well as electrical conductivity, were correlated with the percentage of land cover types calculated for total catchment area, buffer zones, cut buffer zones, and radius. For such computing, Corine Land Cover 2018 and Sentinel 2 Global Land Cover datasets were used. In the case of both datasets, results indicate significant dependence of NO3, and NO2 concentrations, as well as EC values on cover metrics. Overall, agricultural lands favored higher concentrations of NO3 and NO2, whereas mainly coniferous forests reduced nitrogen pollution. Significant correlations were not documented in the case of NH4+ ions, the concentrations of which could be linked to point sources from municipal activity. Correlation performance was slightly better in the case of the S2GLC dataset, while the best spatial scales were generally seen for wider buffer zones (250 and 500 m) and total catchment area. The study provided spatially extensive insight into the impact of land cover predictors at different scales on nitrogen compounds in a lowland landscape. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 1022 KiB  
Article
Changes in the Ecological Status of Rivers Caused by the Functioning of Natural Barriers
by Katarzyna Połeć, Antoni Grzywna, Monika Tarkowska-Kukuryk and Urszula Bronowicka-Mielniczuk
Water 2022, 14(9), 1522; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/w14091522 - 09 May 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1631
Abstract
Introducing the European beaver to the catchment area, which adjusts the habitat to its own needs (by building dams), may have a positive impact on the ecology, geology, and hydromorphology of rivers and intensify the water self-purification process. In this study, a comparative [...] Read more.
Introducing the European beaver to the catchment area, which adjusts the habitat to its own needs (by building dams), may have a positive impact on the ecology, geology, and hydromorphology of rivers and intensify the water self-purification process. In this study, a comparative assessment of the ecological status was made between the areas where the species Castor fiber L. occurs (habitat type A) and the areas unaffected by the influence (habitat type B). For this purpose, the Macrophyte River Index (MIR) and the Hydromorphological River Index (HIR) were calculated, along with the floristic indicators of biodiversity: species richness and Margalef, Shannon–Wiener, and Simpson indices. Only 35% of the sites met the standard of good ecological status. The presence of hypertrophic species and anthropogenic modifications of the river bed had a negative impact. The spread of beavers has a significant positive effect on changes in hydromorphological conditions and water levels in the river. The water levels in habitat types A and B were 0.504 and 0.253 m, respectively. There were statistically significant differences in the HIR values between habitat types A and B, which were 0.585 and 0.535, respectively. In habitats of type A, the heterogeneity of the current and bed material as well as the diversity of elements accompanying the tree stands increased. Research has shown greater species richness and greater biodiversity of macrophytes in the habitats of beaver dams. The research confirmed the significant influence of the European beaver on changes in the environment. The activity of beavers intensifies the processes of introducing wetland and rush species to forest areas. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 6351 KiB  
Article
Changes in the Amount of Rainwater in the Roztocze National Park (Poland) in 2001–2020 and the Possibility of Using Rainwater in the Context of Ongoing Climate Variability
by Tadeusz Grabowski, Krzysztof Jóźwiakowski, Andrzej Bochniak and Agnieszka Micek
Water 2022, 14(9), 1334; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/w14091334 - 20 Apr 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1482
Abstract
Data for the years 2001–2020 on changes in the amount of rainwater in the Roztocze National Park (RNP) in the catchment area of the Świerszcz River (Poland) were investigated to evaluate the possibility of using rainwater in the park for various purposes in [...] Read more.
Data for the years 2001–2020 on changes in the amount of rainwater in the Roztocze National Park (RNP) in the catchment area of the Świerszcz River (Poland) were investigated to evaluate the possibility of using rainwater in the park for various purposes in the context of ongoing climate variability. An analysis of data from the RNP’s Integrated Monitoring of the Natural Environment showed that the average annual air temperature increased by 2.1 °C over the 20-year period, while the amount of precipitation decreased, especially in the winter seasons. These changes periodically led to a negative hydrological balance. As an effect, the groundwater table was gradually lowering, the flow of the Świerszcz River was reduced, and there were periodic shortages of water feeding the Echo Ponds. Water shortages also negatively affected the flora and fauna of the RNP. In order to quantitatively protect the Park’s water resources, a proposition was made to build a rainwater management system at the Animal Breeding Centre in Florianka to provide water for watering Polish Konik horses, flushing toilets, washing cars and agricultural equipment, and fire-prevention purposes. The excess water would be discharged to a nearby pond, which is an amphibian breeding site. It was estimated that the system was capable of meeting 100% of the demand for lower-quality water in the summer period. Moreover, it was determined that 9109 m3 of rainwater could be obtained annually from the roofs of all public utility buildings located in the RNP. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

23 pages, 3753 KiB  
Article
The Importance of Groundwater Quality and Other Habitat Parameters for Effective Active Protection of an Endangered Plant Species in Eastern Poland
by Artur Serafin, Magdalena Pogorzelec, Barbara Banach-Albińska, Ewa Zalewska, Urszula Bronowicka-Mielniczuk and Michał Arciszewski
Water 2022, 14(8), 1270; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/w14081270 - 14 Apr 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1349
Abstract
Anthropogenic habitat transformations involving changes in hydrologic conditions in the peatlands of eastern Poland contribute to the disappearance of sites of numerous relict plant species. The study aimed to verify whether sites chosen for the reintroduction of the endangered species Salix lapponum had [...] Read more.
Anthropogenic habitat transformations involving changes in hydrologic conditions in the peatlands of eastern Poland contribute to the disappearance of sites of numerous relict plant species. The study aimed to verify whether sites chosen for the reintroduction of the endangered species Salix lapponum had been well selected by analyzing selected habitat parameters and determining whether changes in their values may in the long term have a significant impact on the functioning of new populations of the species. The results obtained at sites where the S. lapponum population was replenished with new individuals were analyzed in relation to data from one of the natural sites of the species. Hydrochemical characterization of the groundwater at the study sites confirmed that there was no significant influx of nutrients into the habitat or other hydrological disturbances due to human activity. The values obtained for the factors tested were within the limits of the specific preferences of the species. Changes in the values of some physical-chemical parameters of the water were due to the ecosystem’s internal metabolism, and the site with the highest hydrochemical stability was the one where S. lapponum occurred naturally. The species composition and structure of the phytocoenoses at all study sites were characteristic of natural sites of the species and showed no disturbances caused by human impact. The microbiological analyses indicated normal soil processes. The hydrochemical and biocoenotic stability of the habitat, including the microbiological balance of the soil, which was free of pathogenic fungi, should have a positive effect on the condition of the reintroduced plants. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 6750 KiB  
Article
Laboratory Tests of Water Level Regulators in Ditches of Irrigation Systems
by Janusz Urbański, Sławomir Bajkowski, Piotr Siwicki, Ryszard Oleszczuk, Andrzej Brandyk and Zbigniew Popek
Water 2022, 14(8), 1259; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/w14081259 - 13 Apr 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1330
Abstract
Observed changes in hydrological conditions indicate the need for economical use of water. This pertains to water management on a national scale, river basins and drainage systems. The outflow of water can be extensively regulated after various forms of retention in the catchment. [...] Read more.
Observed changes in hydrological conditions indicate the need for economical use of water. This pertains to water management on a national scale, river basins and drainage systems. The outflow of water can be extensively regulated after various forms of retention in the catchment. The water level regulators presented herein enable the damming of water in drainage networks and the adjacent ground. Their advantages include their simple structure and operation principles and also the ability to adapt to currently existing devices in sub-irrigation systems. Laboratory tests were conducted to determine the hydraulic characteristics and operating conditions of three innovative regulator solutions. They focused on changing water damming heights by the closure of successively placed beams in order to obtain the required water level in the given hydrometeorological conditions. The structures of the regulators were made of plastics and rectilinear fillings for securing S-type excavations and elements of sheet piling with a developed shape in the plan of U and Z types, offering advantages compared to traditional materials (with respect to installation, operation and durability). All tested regulators were characterized by the effective flow Qe, caused by water leaks due to the lack of tightness of the regulator elements. The regulator with rectilinear beams of S-type closures offered the highest effective flow, which was 4 ÷ 5 times higher than in other regulators. U- and Z-type regulators were better at facilitating the regulation of the water table and the flow than the S rectilinear regulator. This led to both: the greater tightness of connections and the use of an overflow with a developed crest in the plan. The U and Z controllers had the highest hydraulic efficiency, expressed as the flow increase coefficient, at overflow layer heights of up to 5.0 cm. For tested fillings larger than 5.0 cm, U-type beams with a cylindrical corner shape had a lower flow increase coefficient (kq = 1.25) than Z-type beams with an angular corner shape, for which kq ∈ <1.35 ÷ 1.38>. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

44 pages, 3986 KiB  
Review
Sustainable vs. Conventional Approach for Olive Oil Wastewater Management: A Review of the State of the Art
by Zakaria Al-Qodah, Habis Al-Zoubi, Banan Hudaib, Waid Omar, Maede Soleimani, Saeid Abu-Romman and Zacharias Frontistis
Water 2022, 14(11), 1695; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/w14111695 - 25 May 2022
Cited by 21 | Viewed by 4354
Abstract
The main goal of this review is to collect and analyze the recently published research concerning the conventional and sustainable treatment processes for olive mill wastewater (OMW). In the conventional treatment processes, it is noticed that the main objective is to meet the [...] Read more.
The main goal of this review is to collect and analyze the recently published research concerning the conventional and sustainable treatment processes for olive mill wastewater (OMW). In the conventional treatment processes, it is noticed that the main objective is to meet the environmental regulations for remediated wastewater without considering the economical values of its valuable constituents such as polyphenols. These substances have many important environmental values and could be used in many vital applications. Conversely, sustainable treatment processes aim to recover the valuable constituents through different processes and then treat the residual wastewater. Both approaches’ operational and design parameters were analyzed to generalize their advantages and possible applications. A valorization-treatment approach for OMW is expected to make it a sustainable resource for ingredients of high economical value that could lead to a profitable business. In addition, inclusion of a recovery process will detoxify the residual OMW, simplify its management treatment, and allow the possible reuse of the vast amounts of processed water. In a nutshell, the proposed approach led to zero waste with a closed water cycle development. Full article
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Back to TopTop