dependent upon pH, temperature, contact time, and the size of sorbent’s particle. It
has been observed that 96% of Cd can be removed by sugarcane baggage with
25 min of contact time from aqueous solution having pH 7.0 (Moubarik and Grimi
2015). The pretreated sugarcane bagasse can adsorb 92.6, 149.0, and 333.0 mg g
À1
of Cu, Cd, and Pb, respectively (Karnitz et al. 2010). Esfandiar et al. (2014) have
reported that the adsorption efficiency can be increased by increasing adsorbent
dosage. Coconut waste can also be used as adsorption material. It can adsorb about
263 and 285 mg g
À1 of Pb and Cd, respectively. Black oak bark and wheat bran can
also adsorb 400 mg g
À1 and 310 mgg
À1 of Hg and Cr, respectively (Alalwan et al.
2020).
To determine the physical and chemical properties and to get the information
about active sites involved in metal adsorption, the characterization process is
performed. It is done by several conventional methods, such as X-ray powder
diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray fluorescence
(XRF), scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis
(EDAX), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and nuclear magnetic
resonance (NMR) (Park et al. 2010). SEM is an efficient technique that can be
used for morphological analysis of adsorbent’s surface before and after the adsorption of metals (Almendros et al. 2015). Along with this, EDAX technique gives an
idea about elemental analysis and characterization of chemical compounds at the
surface of the adsorbent (Habib-ur-Rehman et al. 2006). For further study, FTIR
spectroscopy can be performed to know about the sorbent functional groups responsible for the adsorption of metal ions. Surface chemistry of materials can be assessed
by XPS, i.e., a quantitative technique. It gives the detailed information about the
composition of element, empirical formula, and material’s electronic state (Michalak
et al. 2013). With the help of different characterization techniques, the whole
information about the heavy metals adsorption phenomenon can be obtained. So,
by using a combination of techniques, the adsorption mechanisms can be explored
significantly.
8.6 Conclusions
Wastewater use in agriculture enhances the soil properties such as its aggregation,
moisture, and nutrient that consequently enhance the growth and yield of the plants.
Wastewater irrigation has multifaceted benefits in sustainable agriculture: (i) reduces
the cost of synthetic fertilizers, (ii) improves farmer’s income, (iii) continuous water
supply in water-deficient regions, (iv) curtails the dependency on the weather for
water supply, and (v) upgrades livelihood for poor households, although several
risks are also conjugate with the use such as salinization, alkalization, and heavy
metal contamination. The irrational and non-judicious use of wastewater recycling in
agriculture could provoke change in properties of soils and plants; lastly it shows
toxicological response on human health. Several researches do prove that heavy
metal enters in the food chain and biomagnifies in every trophic level. Hence,
8 Application of Wastewater in Irrigation and Its Regulation with Special. . .
191
has been observed that 96% of Cd can be removed by sugarcane baggage with
25 min of contact time from aqueous solution having pH 7.0 (Moubarik and Grimi
2015). The pretreated sugarcane bagasse can adsorb 92.6, 149.0, and 333.0 mg g
À1
of Cu, Cd, and Pb, respectively (Karnitz et al. 2010). Esfandiar et al. (2014) have
reported that the adsorption efficiency can be increased by increasing adsorbent
dosage. Coconut waste can also be used as adsorption material. It can adsorb about
263 and 285 mg g
À1 of Pb and Cd, respectively. Black oak bark and wheat bran can
also adsorb 400 mg g
À1 and 310 mgg
À1 of Hg and Cr, respectively (Alalwan et al.
2020).
To determine the physical and chemical properties and to get the information
about active sites involved in metal adsorption, the characterization process is
performed. It is done by several conventional methods, such as X-ray powder
diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray fluorescence
(XRF), scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis
(EDAX), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and nuclear magnetic
resonance (NMR) (Park et al. 2010). SEM is an efficient technique that can be
used for morphological analysis of adsorbent’s surface before and after the adsorption of metals (Almendros et al. 2015). Along with this, EDAX technique gives an
idea about elemental analysis and characterization of chemical compounds at the
surface of the adsorbent (Habib-ur-Rehman et al. 2006). For further study, FTIR
spectroscopy can be performed to know about the sorbent functional groups responsible for the adsorption of metal ions. Surface chemistry of materials can be assessed
by XPS, i.e., a quantitative technique. It gives the detailed information about the
composition of element, empirical formula, and material’s electronic state (Michalak
et al. 2013). With the help of different characterization techniques, the whole
information about the heavy metals adsorption phenomenon can be obtained. So,
by using a combination of techniques, the adsorption mechanisms can be explored
significantly.
8.6 Conclusions
Wastewater use in agriculture enhances the soil properties such as its aggregation,
moisture, and nutrient that consequently enhance the growth and yield of the plants.
Wastewater irrigation has multifaceted benefits in sustainable agriculture: (i) reduces
the cost of synthetic fertilizers, (ii) improves farmer’s income, (iii) continuous water
supply in water-deficient regions, (iv) curtails the dependency on the weather for
water supply, and (v) upgrades livelihood for poor households, although several
risks are also conjugate with the use such as salinization, alkalization, and heavy
metal contamination. The irrational and non-judicious use of wastewater recycling in
agriculture could provoke change in properties of soils and plants; lastly it shows
toxicological response on human health. Several researches do prove that heavy
metal enters in the food chain and biomagnifies in every trophic level. Hence,
8 Application of Wastewater in Irrigation and Its Regulation with Special. . .
191