Vertical Transfer of Bacteriological and Parasitological Pollutants from Irrigation Water to Soil and Crops

Urban Farm DB summary

This study in Fez, Morocco, compared bacteriological and parasitological contamination in urban, peri-urban, and rural irrigation waters, and their transfer to soil and crops (cardoon and eggplant). Investigated microorganisms included total and thermotolerant coliforms, helminth eggs, Salmonella, and cholera vibrio. Results revealed contamination exceeding national and international standards for both types of coliforms in treated wastewater (TWW), wastewater (WW), Oued Fez water, and upstream well water in both winter and summer. This fecal contamination was found in soils and crops irrigated by urban and peri-urban water. Helminth eggs and cholera vibrio were also present in these waters, soils, and crops, with Salmonella detected in TWW in summer. Only the plot irrigated with Oued Bitit water in the rural zone met standards across all three levels of irrigated water, soil, and plants, and in both periods.