Performance of bimetallic nanoscale zero-valent iron particles for removal of oxytetracycline

In this study, bimetallic nanoscale zero-valent iron particles(nZVI), including copper/nanoscale zero-valent iron particles(Cu/nZVI) and nickel/nanoscale zero-valent iron particles(Ni/nZVI), were synthesized by one-step liquid-phase reduction and applied for oxytetracycline(OTC) removal. The effects of contact time and initial p H on the removal efficiency were studied. The as-prepared nanoscale particles were characterized by scanning electron microscopy(SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy(EDS) and X-ray diffraction(XRD). Finally, the degradation mechanisms of OTC utilizing the as-prepared nanoparticles were investigated by using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS) and mass spectrometry(MS). Cu/n ZVI presented remarkable ability for OTC degradation and removed71.44% of OTC(100 mg/L) in 4 hr, while only 62.34% and 31.05% of OTC was degraded by Ni/nZVI and nZVI respectively. XPS and MS analysis suggested that OTC was broken down to form small molecules by ·OH radicals generated from the corrosion of Fe0. Cu/nZVI and Ni/n ZVI have been proved to have potential as materials for application in OTC removal because of their significant degradation ability toward OTC.     

纳米零价铁(NZVI)对厌氧产甲烷活性、污泥特性和微生物群落结构的影响

重点比较了纳米零价铁(NZVI)和微米级铁(ZVI)短期暴露条件下,厌氧产甲烷过程中污泥产甲烷活性、污泥生理生化特征、细胞膜磷脂组成和微生物群落结构的变化.结果表明,NZVI组中累积产甲烷量随着NZVI投加浓度的增加降低.5 000mg·L~(-1)ZVI组累积产甲烷量未受影响.5 d时NZVI(100~5 000 mg·L~(-1))组铁离子浓度是空白组的1.6~7.4倍,5 000mg·L~(-1)ZVI组铁离子浓度略高于空白组.5 000 mg·L~(-1)NZVI组胞外聚合物总量大幅下降为空白组的21.1%,而活菌比仍可保持在空白组的79.7%.辅酶F420和辅酶M含量在5 000 mg·L~(-1)NZVI组中为空白组的40.2%和61.6%,但100 mg·L~(-1)NZVI组和5 000 mg·L~(-1)ZVI组中辅酶F420含量升高为空白组的1.3倍.不同实验组污泥支链脂肪酸和不饱和脂肪酸的总含量为:ZVI-5 000(21.18%)空白组(19.37%)NZVI-1000(16.69%)NZVI-5000(15.94%)NZVI-100(12.08%).NZVI可使环境中铁离子浓度升高和细胞膜流动性下降,降低细胞活性和产甲烷关键辅酶活性,从而对产甲烷过程造成抑制;主成分分析和冗余分析表明,厌氧系统中微生物群落组成可受到NZVI的影响发生较大变化,Nakamurella、Bacillus、Trichococcus和Petrimonas对NZVI耐受性高.     

NZVI对低有机质污泥厌氧消化系统及微生物群落的影响

采用投加不同剂量纳米零价铁（NZVI）（0,0.1,0.3,0.5 g/g VS）的低有机质污泥进行半连续中温厌氧消化试验,研究了反应器在不同NZVI投加量下的产甲烷特性及微生物群落变化。研究表明:NZVI的投加前期对产甲烷具有促进作用,随着反应器中NZVI累积逐渐对产甲烷产生抑制,且投加量越高抑制效果产生越早,抑制作用也越强。投加NZVI反应器未造成酸化或氨抑制,厌氧消化系统稳定性较好,系统上清液中磷酸盐去除率最高达到97.78%。NZVI的投加可以促进Firmicutes、Proteobacteria等水解产酸菌和Methanosarcina等多数氢营养型产甲烷菌的生长,而对严格的乙酸型产甲烷菌Methanosaeta生长有一定抑制作用。     

Interaction between Cu and different types of surface-modified nanoscale zero-valent iron during their transport in porous media

This study investigated the interaction between Cu^2 + and nano zero-valent iron (NZVI) coated with three types of stabilizers (i.e., polyacrylic acid [PAA], Tween-20 and starch) by examining the Cu^2 + uptake, colloidal stability and mobility of surface-modified NZVI (SM-NZVI) in the presence of Cu^2 +. The uptake of Cu^2 + by SM-NZVI and the colloidal stability of the Cu-bearing SM-NZVI were examined in batch tests. The results showed that NZVI coated with different modifiers exhibited different affinities for Cu^2 +, which resulted in varying colloidal stability of different SM-NZVI in the presence of Cu^2 +. The presence of Cu^2 + exerted a slight influence on the aggregation and settling of NZVI modified with PAA or Tween-20. However, the presence of Cu^2 + caused significant aggregation and sedimentation of starch-modified NZVI, which is due to Cu^2 + complexation with the starch molecules coated on the surface of the particles. Column experiments were conducted to investigate the co-transport of Cu^2 + in association with SM-NZVI in water-saturated quartz sand. It was presumed that a physical straining mechanism accounted for the retention of Cu-bearing SM-NZVI in the porous media. Moreover, the enhanced aggregation of SM-NZVI in the presence of Cu^2 + may be contributing to this straining effect.     

Interaction between Cu2+ and different types of surface-modified nanoscale zero-valent iron during their transport in porous media

This study investigated the interaction between Cu²⁺ and nano zero-valent iron (NZVI) coated with three types of stabilizers (i.e., polyacrylic acid [PAA], Tween-20 and starch) by examining the Cu²⁺ uptake, colloidal stability and mobility of surface-modified NZVI (SM-NZVI) in the presence of Cu²⁺. The uptake of Cu²⁺ by SM-NZVI and the colloidal stability of the Cu-bearing SM-NZVI were examined in batch tests. The results showed that NZVI coated with different modifiers exhibited different affinities for Cu²⁺, which resulted in varying colloidal stability of different SM-NZVI in the presence of Cu²⁺. The presence of Cu²⁺ exerted a slight influence on the aggregation and settling of NZVI modified with PAA or Tween-20. However, the presence of Cu²⁺ caused significant aggregation and sedimentation of starch-modified NZVI, which is due to Cu²⁺ complexation with the starch molecules coated on the surface of the particles. Column experiments were conducted to investigate the co-transport of Cu²⁺ in association with SM-NZVI in water-saturated quartz sand. It was presumed that a physical straining mechanism accounted for the retention of Cu-bearing SM-NZVI in the porous media. Moreover, the enhanced aggregation of SM-NZVI in the presence of Cu²⁺ may be contributing to this straining effect.     

Effect of air-exposed biocathode on the performance of a Thauera-dominated membraneless single-chamber microbial fuel cell (SCMFC)

To investigate the effect of air-exposed biocathode(AEB) on the performance of singlechamber microbial fuel cell(SCMFC), wastewater quality, bioelectrochemical characteristics and the electrode biofilms were researched. It was demonstrated that exposing the biocathode to air was beneficial to nitrogen removal and current generation. In Test 1 of 95%AEB, removal rates of ammonia, total nitrogen(TN) and chemical oxygen demand(COD)reached 99.34% ± 0.11%, 99.34% ± 0.10% and 90.79% ± 0.12%, respectively. The nitrogen removal loading rates were 36.38 g N/m~3/day. Meanwhile, current density and power density obtained at 0.7 A/m3 and 104 m W/m~3 respectively. Further experiments on opencircuit(Test 2) and carbon source(Test 3) indicated that this high performance could be attributed to simultaneous biological nitrification/denitrification and aerobic denitrification, as well as bioelectrochemical denitrification. Results of community analysis demonstrated that both microbial community structures on the surface of the cathode and in the liquid of the chamber were different. The percentage of Thauera, identified as denitrifying bacteria, maintained at a high level of over 50% in water, but decreased gradually in the AEB. Moreover, the genus Nitrosomonas, Alishewanella, Arcobacter and Rheinheimera were significantly enriched in the AEB, which might contribute to both enhancement of nitrogen removal and electricity generation.     

零价铁对脱色希瓦氏菌S12偶氮还原的促进作用

以脱色希瓦氏菌(Shewanella decolorationis)S12为实验菌株,研究了零价铁(ZVI)存在条件下微生物的厌氧偶氮还原特性及其最佳反应条件.结果表明,ZVI可显著促进菌株S12的厌氧偶氮还原速率.培养30 h后含有20 mmol.L-1微米级ZVI和S12菌的培养体系中,菌株S12对1 mmol.L-1苋菜红的脱色率达100%,比不含ZVI的S12菌培养体系和只含ZVI的体系的偶氮还原率分别提高了23.16%和94.66%;在额外含20 mmol.L-1甲酸钠的培养体系中,ZVI的存在也使S12菌对苋菜红的脱色率提高了20.54%.此外,ZVI的存在可显著提高培养体系对偶氮染料的耐受能力.在投加ZVI和菌株S12培养体系中,连续批量投加浓度为1 mmol.L-1的苋菜红可在276 h内实现11次有效脱色,而不含ZVI的S12菌培养体系中只能实现3次有效脱色.进一步的研究发现,ZVI与菌株S12协同培养体系的最适反应pH为9.0,最适ZVI投加量为60 mmol.L-1.与毫米级和纳米级ZVI颗粒相比,微米级ZVI颗粒具有更强的促进作用.本研究结果将为利用ZVI协同促进偶氮染料的生物治理效果提供科学参数.     

Reuse of printing and dyeing wastewater in processess assessed by pilot-scale test using combined biological process and sub-filter technology

In this work, a pilot-scale (300 m³/d) wastewater reclamation system was tested for printing and dyeing wastewater treatment from a textile factory. The wastewater was first hydrolyzed under anoxic condition, and then was treated under aerobic condition. Biologically treated wastewater was filtered by sub-filter technology (Patent: CN1308024A). The results showed that the average concentration of CODcr, color and turbidity in the effluent were less than 50 mg/L, 10 times and 2 NTU, respectively. The average CODcr, color and turbidity removal efficiencies were 91%, 92.5% and 90.9%, respectively. The treated effluent quality satisfied the requirement of water quality for printing and dyeing process. The most attracting part of the work was its extremely low color, low turbidity, low concentration of Fe and Mn, which was always demanded in textile sectors for an improved finish and better quality dyeing.     

Community structures and population dynamics of “Candidatus Accumulibacter” in activated sludges of wastewater treatment plants using ppk1 as phylogenetic marker

Candidatus Accumulibacter has been identified as dominant polyphosphate-accumulating organisms(PAOs) in enhanced biological phosphorus(P) removal(EBPR) from wastewater.This study revealed the relevance of community structure, abundance and seasonal population dynamics of Candidatus Accumulibacter to process operation of wastewater treatment plants(WWTPs) in China using ppk1 gene as phylogenetic marker. All sludge samples had properties of denitrifying P removal using nitrate as an electron acceptor.Accumulibacter abundance in the anaerobic-anoxic-oxic(A~2O) process was the highest(26%of total bacteria), and higher in winter than in summer with a better EBPR performance.Type-II was the dominant Accumulibacter in all processes, and type-I accounted for a small proportion of total Accumulibacter. The abundance of Clade-IIC as the most dominant clade reached 2.59 × 10~9 cells/g MLSS and accounted for 87.3% of total Accumulibacter. Clade IIC mainly contributed to denitrifying P removal. Clades IIA, IIC and IID were found in all processes, while clade-IIF was only found in oxidation ditch process through phylogenetic analysis. High proportion of clade IID to total Accumulibacter led to poor performance of aerobic P-uptake in inverted A~2O process. Therefore, Accumulibacter clades in WWTPs were diverse, and EBPR performance was closely related to the clade-level community structures and abundances of Accumulibacter.     

Effects on nano zero-valent iron reactivity of interactions between hardness, alkalinity, and natural organic matter in reverse osmosis concentrate

Nanoscale zero-valent iron （NZVI） is considered to have potential to reduce nitrate in the concentrate generated by high pressure membrane processes aimed at water reuse. However, it is necessary to verify the effect of the matrix components in the concentrates on NZVI reactivity. In this study, the influence of hardness, alkalinity, and organic matter on NZVI reactivity was evaluated by the response surface method （RSM）. Hardness （Ca/＋） had a positive effect on NZVI reactivity by accelerating iron corrosion. In contrast, alkalinity （bicarbonate; HCO3） and organic matter （humic acid; HA） had negative effects on NZVI reactivity due to morphological change to carbonate green rust, and to competitive adsorption of HA, respectively. The validity of the statistical prediction model derived from RSM was confirmed by an additional confirmation experiment, and the experimental result was within the 95% confidential interval. Therefore, it can be indicated that the RSM model produced results that were statistically significant.     

Nutrient flows in small-scale peri-urban vegetable farming systems in Southeast Asia—A case study in Hanoi

In many peri-urban areas of Southeast Asia, land use has been transformed from rice-based to more profitable vegetable-based systems in order to meet the increasing market demand. The major management related flows of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) were quantified over a 1-year period for intensive small-scale aquatic and terrestrial vegetable systems situated in two peri-urban areas of Hanoi City, Vietnam. The two areas have different sources of irrigation water; wastewater from Hanoi City and water from the Red River upstream of Hanoi. The first nutrient balances for this region and farming systems are presented. The main sources of individual elements were quantified and the nutrient use efficiency estimated. The environmental risks for losses and/or soil accumulation were also assessed and discussed in relation to long-term sustainability and health aspects.The primary source of nutrient input involved a combination of chemical fertilisers, manure (chicken) and irrigation water. A variable composition and availability of the latter two sources greatly influenced the relative magnitude of the final total loads for individual elements. Despite relatively good nutrient use efficiencies being demonstrated for N (46–86%) and K (66–94%), and to some extent also for P (19–46%), high inputs still resulted in substantial annual surpluses causing risks for losses to surface and ground waters. The surplus for N ranged from 85 to 882 kg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹, compared to P and K which were 109–196 and 20–306 kg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹, respectively. Those for Cu and Zn varied from 0.2 to 2.7 and from 0.6 to 7.7 kg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹, respectively, indicating high risk for soil accumulation and associated transfers through the food chain.Wastewater irrigation contributed to high inputs, and excess use of organic and chemical fertilisers represent a major threat to the soil and water environment. Management options that improve nutrient use efficiency represent an important objective that will help reduce annual surpluses. A sustainable reuse of wastewater for irrigation in peri-urban farming systems can contribute significantly to the nutrient supply (assuming low concentrations of potential toxic or hazardous substances in the water). Nutrient inputs need to be better related to the crop need, e.g. through better knowledge about the nutrient concentrations in the wastewater and improved management of the amount of irrigation water being applied.     

Utilisation of phosphorus nutrient content in industrial scale plasmid DNA production: a waste minimisation study

Human gene therapy is currently seeing an increase in the use of plasmid (pDNA)-based vectors as a preferred choice of vehicle for delivery of the therapeutic gene into the body. In this regard, the environmental impacts of the waste streams from the possible industrial scale manufacture of pDNA require more detailed assessment. In this study, an initial assessment was made of the nutrient phosphorus (P) inputs to four fermentation processes recommended for the industrial scale production of pDNA for the purposes of gene therapy. Phosphorus inputs to each of the four selected fermentation processes ranged from approximately 60 mg l^?1 up to 3000 mg l^?1 in the fresh media. However, the spent media waste from each of the processes exhibited only a minor reduction in the phosphorus concentrations indicating minimal uptake of P by the microorganisms. This unutilised excess level of phosphorus nutrient within the waste streams poses a strong potential for environmental impact. Waste minimisation studies were undertaken on one model fermentation process with the aim of reducing unnecessary phosphorus input. An optimised media containing a 98% reduction in added P to the media was developed. This phosphorus-minimised media had little quantitative effect upon cell biomass produced and no effect upon the quantity or quality of pDNA produced, relative to the control media. The reduction in P requirement results in an overall cost savings of 12% per fermentation batch, would simplify subsequent wastewater treatment and would contribute to slowing the depletion rate of a valuable, finite natural resource.     

Inhibitive effects of chlortetracycline on performance of the nitritation-anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) process and strategies for recovery

The short-and long-term effects of chlortetracycline(CTC) on the nitritation-anaerobic ammonium oxidation(anammox) process were evaluated. The half maximal inhibitory concentration of CTC in the batch tests of the nitritation-anammox process was 278.91 mg/L at an exposure time of 12 hr. The long-term effects of CTC on the process were examined in a continuous-flow nitritation-anammox reactor. Within 14 days, the nitrogen removal rate significantly decreased from 0.61 to 0.25 kg N/m~3/day with 60 mg/L CTC in the influent.The performance suppressed by CTC barely recovered, even after CTC was removed from the influent. Furthermore, the inhibition of CTC also reduced the relative abundance of ammonium oxidizing bacteria(AOB) and anaerobic ammonium oxidizing bacteria(An AOB)in the reactor, resulting in both a decreased amount of and an imbalance between AOB and An AOB. When fresh anammox sludge was reseeded into the nitritation-anammox reactor,the nitrogen removal rate recovered to 0.09 ± 0.03 kg N/m~3/day.     

Simultaneous removal of arsenic and antimony from mining wastewater using granular TiO2: Batch and field column studies

Coexisting arsenic (As) and antimony (Sb) in mining wastewater is a common and great concern. On-site simultaneous removal of As and Sb from mining wastewater was achieved by using a reusable granular TiO₂ column in this study. To evaluate the accuracy of the scale-up procedure, As and Sb adsorption from wastewater was studied in both large (600 g TiO₂) and small columns (12 g TiO₂) based on the proportional diffusivity rapid small-scale column tests (PD-RSSCTs) design. The comparable As and Sb breakthrough curves obtained from small and large columns confirmed the accuracy of the PD-RSSCT theory in the design of large-scale columns. Meanwhile, the consistent As and Sb adsorption results from batch and column experiments suggested that TiO₂ adsorption for As and Sb can be predicted from bench-scale tests. Charge distribution multi-site complexation (CD-MUSIC) and one-dimensional transport modeling integrated in the PHREEQC program were performed to study the adsorption behaviors of As and Sb on the TiO₂ surface. Coexisting ions, such as Ca^2 +, Mg^2 +, and Si^4 +, play an important role in As and Sb adsorption, and the breakthrough curves were well simulated after considering the compound ion effects. The results from this study highlight the surface reactions of As and Sb on TiO₂ and provide a practical way for on-site remediation of industrial wastewater.     

An innovative approach to minimize excess sludge production in sewage treatment using integrated bioreactors

The present investigation deals with an application of integrated sequential oxic and anoxic bioreactor(SOABR) and fluidized immobilized cell carbon oxidation(FICCO) reactor for the treatment of domestic wastewater with minimum sludge generation. The performance of integrated SOABR-FICCO system was evaluated on treating the domestic wastewater at hydraulic retention time(HRT) of 3 hr and 6 hr for 120 days at organic loading rate(OLR)of 191 ± 31 mg/(L·hr). The influent wastewater was characterized by chemical oxygen demand(COD) 573 ± 93 mg/L; biochemical oxygen demand(BOD5) 197 ± 35 mg/L and total suspended solids(TSS) 450 ± 136 mg/L. The integrated SOABR-FICCO reactors have established a significant removal of COD by 94% ± 1%, BOD5 by 95% ± 0.6% and TSS by 95% ± 4% with treated domestic wastewater characteristics COD 33 ± 5 mg/L; BOD59 ± 0.8 mg/L and TSS 17 ± 9 mg/L under continuous mode of operation for 120 days. The mass of dry sludge generated from SOABR-FICCO system was 22.9 g/m~3. The sludge volume index of sludge formed in the SOABR reactor was 32 mL/g and in FICCO reactor it was 46 mL/g. The sludge formed in SOABR and FICCO reactor was characterized by TGA, DSC and SEM analysis. Overall, the results demonstrated that the integrated SOABR-FICCO reactors substantially removed the pollution parameters from domestic wastewater with minimum sludge production.     

有机膨润土负载纳米铁去除废水中硝基苯

用具有良好吸附能力的有机膨润土作载体,通过FeSO4与NaBH4反应制得负载型的纳米铁(NZVL/CTMAB-Bent),用XRD、BET对其性能进行了表征.以硝基苯为目标污染物,试验了 -NZVI/CTMAB-Bent对不同起始浓度硝基苯的去除作用,考察了介质PH对其去除效率的影响,并与相同铁含量的纳米铁(NZVI)进行了比较.此外.还对NZVI/CTMAB-Bent还原硝基苯的机理进行了探讨.结果表明,NZVI/CTMAB-Bent对硝基苯的去除能力远高于相同铁含量的NZVI.也明显优于相同含量的有机膨润土和相同铁含量的NZVI对硝基苯去除率的加和.     

Treatment of simulated wastewater containing Reactive Red 195 by zero-valent iron/activated carbon combined with microwave discharge electrodeless lamp/sodium hypochlorite

A comparative study of treatment of simulated wastewater containing Reactive Red 195 using zero-valent iron/activated carbon (ZVI/AC), microwave discharge electrodeless lamp/sodium hypochlorite (MDEL/NaClO) and the combination of ZVI/ACMDEL/ NaClO was conducted. The preliminary results showed the two steps method of ZVI/AC-MDEL/NaClO had much higher degradation e ciency than both single steps. The final color removal percentage was nearly up to 100% and the chemical oxygen demand reduction percentage was up to approximately 82%. The e ects of operational parameters, including initial pH value of simulated wastewater, ZVI/AC ratio and particle size of ZVI were also investigated. In addition, from the discussion of synergistic e ect between ZVI/AC and MEDL/NaClO, we found that in the ZVI/AC-MEDL/NaClO process, ZVI/AC could break the azo bond firstly and then MEDL/NaClO degraded the aromatic amine products e ectively. Reversing the order would reduce the degradation e ciency.     

Changes in soil fertility parameters and the environmental effects in a rapidly developing region of China

An extensive knowledge of the temporal variability of soil fertility parameters and how this variation affects the environment is imperative to a wide range of disciplines within agricultural science for optimal crop production and ecosystem preservation. This paper examines the temporal variability of soil pH, organic matter (OM), cation exchange capacity (CEC), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), available phosphorus (P_Av), and available potassium (K_Av) on Cambosols (Entisols) (n = 179) and Anthrosols (Inceptisols) (n = 95) in Zhangjiagang County, China from 1980 to 2004. Nutrient input was monitored from 1983 to 2004. Annual N fertilizer rates were significantly different during three periods (1983–1989, 1989–1999, 1999–2004), where annual rates increased significantly after 1989 and then decreased after 1999. Annual P fertilizer rates were significantly different during two periods (1983–1993, 1993–2004) where annual rates increased after 1993. No change was found in K fertilizer rates. Soil pH marginally increased by 0.14 units in Cambosols, but significantly decreased by 1.02 units in Anthrosols. OM, CEC, and TN increased in both soil orders an average of 2.15 g kg^?1, 1.6 cmol kg^?1, and 0.21 g kg^?1, respectively. TP decreased in Anthrosols by 70 mg kg^?1, P_Av increased in Cambosols by 4.83 mg kg^?1, and K_Av decreased in Cambosols by 15 mg kg^?1. Fertilizer input rates are causing nutrient imbalances, contributing to acidification in Anthrosols, and decreasing C/N ratios. Nutrient loading of N and deficiency of K is also a potential problem in the area. Efforts should be made to readjust soil nutrient inputs to reach an optimal, sustainable level.     

零价铁降解4-氯硝基苯动力学研究

实验采用无氧条件下不同浓度零价铁降解硝基芳香烃代表物4-氯硝基苯,研究4-氯硝基苯的降解速率及各产物的反应速率.根据化学反应计量学,通过准一级动力学方程对实验结果进行拟合,得到生成各产物反应速率,并利用穆斯堡尔技术检测零价铁的产物.结果表明,4-氯硝基苯的还原转化速率与零价铁浓度有关,中间产物4-氯亚硝基苯和4-氯苯基羟胺的生成和转化速率可通过拟合各反应速率得到.当零价铁浓度为1.04 g.L-1时4-氯硝基苯反应速率最快,反应速率常数为0.189min-1.反应过程中生成的亚铁离子在反应初期吸附在零价铁表面,各物质的生成和还原速率取决于零价铁表面的活性位点和各物质与零价铁之间的质量传递.     

Irrigation of olive groves in Southern Italy with treated municipal wastewater: Effects on microbiological quality of soil and fruits

The use of municipal wastewater in agriculture requires a careful monitoring of a range of hygiene parameters. Yearly hygienic impact assessments on soil and fruit were made between 2000 and 2006 in an olive (Olea europaea L.) grove established near a municipal wastewater treatment plant in Southern Italy (Ferrandina–Basilicata region, 40°29′ N, 16°28′ E). The experimental grove was managed in two plots. The first plot, non-tilled, was drip irrigated daily with reclaimed wastewater. The second plot was unirrigated (i.e. rainfed) and subject to conventional management for the region. Samples of wetted soil from different depths and of treated wastewater were analysed for Escherichia coli, enterococci, sulphite-reducing Clostridium spores and Salmonella spp. Fruits were collected both from the canopy and from nets spread on the ground and analysed for faecal contamination. The average annual quantity of wastewater distributed was 293 mm. E. coli concentration in the wastewater varied considerably, being frequently above the stringent Italian mandatory limit of 10 CFU 100 mL^?1 and also the WHO limit of 1000 MPN 100 mL^?1. Salmonella was never detected in the wastewater, the soil or on the fruit samples. Slight increases in the other bacteria were observed in the wastewater-irrigated soil during the irrigation season and especially in the top 10 cm. Soil resilience and bacterial mortality/inactivation probably explains the seasonal decrease of soil bacteria content over the 7 years of the study. Because of their high resistance to disinfection treatments and to environmental conditions, the spores of the sulphite-reducing bacterium Clostridium could be useful as an indicator of contamination in future guidelines that might be enacted for the use of wastewater in agriculture. No significant microbial contamination was recorded on fruit harvested directly from the canopy of the wastewater-irrigated trees. Contaminations on fruits sampled from the ground in the wastewater-irrigated plot were always low and usually similar to, or lower than those observed on drupes collected from the rainfed plot. In the rainfed plot, the recorded occasional contaminations were probably due to a number of factors, such as grazing of farm stock, presence of wild animals and surface water runoff from adjacent agricultural areas. This work confirms that, under suitable conditions, low-quality wastewater can be useful as an additional water resource for olive irrigation in water-scarce Mediterranean environments.