Olive mill wastewater irrigation of maize: Impacts on soil and groundwater

► Low environmental impact after 5 years of irrigation with olive mill waste water. ► Alternative good practice for waste water irrigation-combination of techniques. ► Crop production increase with the use of natural fertilizer (olive mill waste water). ► Nitrogen and phosphorous availability increase. ► Organic carbon increase in intensively cultivated soil. The environmental impact of irrigating a maize field with weathered olive mill wastewater (OMW) for 5 years was assessed. The use of the weathered OMW added the following concentrations of nutrients to the field: 11.8 t/ha/yr carbon, 1033 kg/ha/yr total nitrogen, 23.8 kg/ha/yr phosphorous and 4161 kg/ha/yr potassium. The maize field received 6 times more nitrogen, 50 times more potassium and 2 times less phosphorous than the recommended fertilization rates. The presence of carbon increased microbial activity for organic nitrogen breakdown and the decomposition rate of organic nitrogen. No significant increase was observed of heavy metal accumulation in the soil. Electrical conductivity in the soil remained below the salinization threshold. No direct exposure values were exceeded. No impact on groundwater quality was observed. Irrigation of crops like maize with weathered OMW could be part of a viable decentralized solution for olive mill wastewater use in areas with low organic matter and high irrigation demand.