Application effects of Oil Mill Effluents on Agricultural Soils

Abstract

The extraction of olive oil by physical methods produces large amounts of washing water for oils and olives. Being stored in large rafts for evaporation, lacking any use. In this sense, a study has been developed on the agricultural, environmental and business benefits and limitations of its use as irrigation in olive orchards and on arable land. Specifically, the study has a double aspect. The first one, which has consisted in a complete characterization of the composition and variability of the liquids coming from the washing of the olives and oils in the mills. And a second, aimed at studying the effects of irrigation, evaluating its agricultural utility, as well as the possible generation of residues on the soil, the plant and the environment in general. In view of the data collected during the study, we have obtained a series of conclusions about the benefits that the farmer can obtain when irrigating with effluents, in addition to the obvious contribution of humidity in periods of low rainfall. Allowing in turn, offer recommendations on when to perform such irrigation.La extracci&oacute;n del aceite de oliva por m&eacute;todos f&iacute;sicos produce grandes cantidades de aguas de lavado de aceites y aceitunas. Siendo almacenadas en grandes balsas para su evaporaci&oacute;n, careciendo de cualquier aprovechamiento. En este sentido, se ha desarrollado un estudio sobre los beneficios y limitaciones agr&iacute;colas, ambientales y empresariales de su utilizaci&oacute;n como riego en olivar y en tierra calma. En concreto, el estudio ha constado de una doble vertiente. Una primera, que ha constado en una completa caracterizaci&oacute;n de la composici&oacute;n y variabilidad de los l&iacute;quidos procedentes del lavado de las aceitunas y aceites en las almazaras. Y una segunda, encaminada a estudiar los efectos del riego, evaluando su utilidad agr&iacute;cola, as&iacute; como la posible generaci&oacute;n de residuos sobre el suelo, la planta y el medio ambiente en general. A la vista de los resultados recopilados durante el estudio realizado, se han obtenido una serie de conclusiones sobre los beneficios que puede obtener el agricultor al regar con efluentes, adem&aacute;s del aporte obvio de humedad en periodos de bajas precipitaciones. Permitiendo a su vez, dar recomendaciones sobre cuando realizar dicho riego.</p