# Evaluation of Agricultural Soil-Improving Zeolite for Improving Irrigation Water Quality
###### Abstract
Additionally, population growth demands greater food quantities, making efficient cultivation crucial to sustain urban development. While high-efficiency agricultural activities are needed to meet current food demands, several issues have emerged in achieving this goal, primarily related to irrigation and, importantly, the quality of agricultural waters. The quality of water used for crop irrigation is a crucial factor that can have a significant impact on agricultural productivity and soil health [9; 10]. It is due to its importance that the FAO has been conducting the review and updating of its \"Water Quality for Agriculture\" report since 1976 [11]. This document serves as a field guide for assessing the suitability of water for irrigation and addresses issues such as the following:  
* Water Salinity: Salinity is a critical factor. If the water used for irrigation has a high salt content, it can accumulate in the soil as water evaporates, affecting the plant's ability to absorb water and nutrients. This can lead to soil salinization and reduce crop yields. * Infiltration and Drainage: Water quality also affects the rate of water infiltration into the soil and drainage. If the water is of low quality and contains sodium, it can affect soil structure, decrease infiltration, and cause drainage problems. This can result in compacted soil and waterlogging, negatively affecting plant growth. * Toxicity of Specific Ions: Some ions present in water, such as sodium, chloride, and boron, can become toxic to plants at high concentrations. This can affect plant development and reduce yields. * Effects on Soil Health: Poor water quality can contribute to long-term soil degradation. The accumulation of salts, loss of soil structure, and reduced biological activity can impact overall soil health. * Sustainability of Irrigation: Sustainable water management is essential for long-term agriculture. The use of poor-quality water without proper management can deplete water resources and have negative environmental consequences. * Impact on Crop Quality: Water quality can also influence the quality of agricultural products. High concentrations of salts or toxic ions can affect the taste and appearance of crops, which are critical in fresh produce markets. Among the elements posing significant challenges for removal or reduction in agricultural waters, two stand out: sodium and boron. Sodium can harm crops by creating short-term osmotic stress or causing long-term direct toxicity. As the osmotic pressure decreases in saline soils, plant turgor pressure is affected and tissues dehydrate, slowing down photosynthesis and leading to inhibited growth, biomass loss, a significant reduction in production, and, ultimately, death [12]. On the other hand, although boron is a necessary micronutrient for the growth and development of plants in very small amounts, exceeding these levels, either through continuous input in irrigation, soil, etc., or through bioaccumulation in the plant organism, can result in various toxic effects, depending on the crops, such as leaf chlorosis and necrosis, root weakness, and death [13; 14; 15]. In this context, the present study aimed to investigate the sorption of boron and sodium found in natural agricultural waters on commercial clinoptilolite-type zeolite, commonly used as a soil conditioner. The goal was to identify the zeolite's retention potential for these two phytotoxic cations in crops, providing a complementary and/or secondary benefit to soil improvement, such as water retention, increased oxygen, and nitrogen mobilization. The study of the process and the identification of the optimal experimental conditions were conducted through factorial planning. Additionally, a kinetic study was carried out to investigate the optimal contact time for the sorbent/cation and the sorption mechanisms that best describe the process.