Occurrence and potential crop uptake of emerging contaminants and related compounds in an agricultural irrigation network

Emerging contaminants have received much attention in recent years due to their presence in surface waters, but little attention has been paid to their occurrence in agricultural irrigation waters. This study investigated the occurrence of these compounds in an agricultural irrigation network in northeastern Spain and, for the first time, using two plant uptake models, estimated the concentration of selected micropollutants in crops. The concentration of micropollutants in agricultural irrigation waters ranged from 10 to 5130 ng L−1 and exhibited some attenuation over the course of the irrigation network. Bromoform, chloroform, diclofenac, caffeine, ibuprofen, naproxen, methyl dihydrojasmonate, galaxolide, butylated hydroxytoluene, and butylated hydroxyanisole were the most abundant contaminants (> 200 ng L−1, on average). The estimated concentration of micropollutants in crops ranged from < 1 to 7677 ng kg−1, with the neutral compounds being the most abundant. Moreover, the predicted data obtained by fate models generally agreed with experimental data. Finally, human exposure to micropollutants through fruit and vegetable consumption was estimated to be 9.8 μg per person and week (Σ 27 contaminants detected). Further studies are needed to determine the health implications that the presence of these compounds in fruit and vegetables may have for consumers.

► 27 out 41 micropollutants in an agricultural irrigation network were detected.
► PPCPs and THMs were the most abundant compounds (> 200 ng L−1, on average).
► Micropollutant concentrations in crops were estimated by modeling.
► Hydrophobic compounds were the most abundant in crops.
► Weekly human intake in fruits and vegetable was estimated in 10 μg.