Produced water (PW) is a major waste-product of oil and gas production that potentially may be a viable agricultural irrigation water source. However, the high organic content and salinity of PW may be deleterious for soil health. We irrigated wheat with minimally treated PW to investigate effects on soil health, wheat growth, and the soil microbiome. Irrigation treatments included control irrigation water (IW), 1% and 5% PW dilutions (1% PW, 5% PW), and a salt water solution with salinity equivalent to the 5% PW dilution (SW). Wheat was irrigated 3 times a week, for a total of 2.1 liters by harvest. During wheat growth, we measured plant physiological parameters, soil electrical conductivity, as well as profiled soil microbial diversity by performing 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) gene analysis. Soil health parameters were measured after harvest, including chemical, biological, physical, and nutrient properties that were used to calculate an overall soil health index (SQI). SQI analysis revealed that the SW and 5% PW treatments had significantly reduced soil health as compared to the control. Furthermore, the 16S rRNA gene analysis showed microbial community membership and structure was significantly different between irrigation treatments, highlighting shifts in the soil microbiome which may impact soil biochemical cycling. Both the SW- and 5% PW-treated wheat had reduced yields as compared to the control. Irrigating wheat with minimally treated dilutions of PW may result in yield decreases, as well as reducing both overall soil health and soil microbial community diversity. Future large-scale field studies are needed to determine the long-term soil health effects of PW on different soil types and crops.

Reusing oil and gas produced water for agricultural irrigation: Effects on soil health and the soil microbiome

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

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