A Project was Prepared for the Use of Olive Black Water in Agriculture

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has started a new study to minimize environmental problems in olive and olive oil production, where Turkey is the fourth in the world. A project has been prepared for the use of black water, especially in olive oil production, in agriculture.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has rolled up its sleeves in order to evaluate the wastes generated during the production of olives and olive oil, which are indispensable foods on our tables, and to prevent them from causing environmental problems.

The Central Research Institute of Soil, Fertilizer and Water Resources operating under the Ministry has developed a project for the use of olive black water in agriculture.

Approximately 95 percent of the world's olive production is carried out in Mediterranean countries. Turkey ranks 4th among olive producing countries. Wastes generated during olive and olive oil production can cause environmental problems.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS HAVE BEEN DISCUSSED FOR YEARS

The environmental effects of waste water, which is called “olive black water”, which is produced as a result of olive oil production, has been discussed for years. The problems encountered regarding the economic applicability of the studies on the solution of the black water problem increase the search for the development of new approaches to the solution of this problem.

Blackwater is not only a waste but also a by-product when its content and amount are considered.

Blackwater is known as an environmental problem due to the high amount of phenolic compounds it contains, high chemical oxygen demand (COD) and high biological oxygen demand (BOD). Due to this content, the introduction of black water into the surrounding environment without any treatment (improvement) can cause serious health problems in humans, animals and aquatic environments.

In order to examine the possibilities of using the product obtained by the treatment of olive black water with high added value in agriculture, the Project of the Central Research Institute of Soil, Fertilizer and Water Resources, "Removal of the Toxic Properties of Olive Blackwater with Different Methods and Investigation of the Possibilities of Use in Agriculture" was started.

With the project included in the program, it is aimed to reduce the need for phenol compounds, biological and chemical oxygen by using two different methods following the physicochemical pre-treatment of the raw black water obtained by the three-phase extraction method. For the pre-treatment, 4 different chemical treatment methods will be tried. In addition, according to the results obtained, the combined use of chemical methods and biosorption method will also be tried.

TO TRY IN GREENHOUSE GROWED LETTUCE

Black water samples treated with different methods and untreated raw black water will be applied to the lettuce plant grown in the greenhouse in various doses. Thus, their effects on yield will be determined and compared with each other. The black water sample and the application dose, which have the highest effect on increasing the yield of the lettuce plant, will be determined.

At the end of the project, a plant nutrient with high added value will be obtained from olive black water, and the use of this substance in agriculture will be investigated and related technologies will be developed.

Project work will start in 2023 and the results will be shared with the relevant units.