Oral Presentation Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Australasia 2023

Uptake of contaminants of emerging concern into edible crops (#21)

Kara L Fry 1 , Jessarne Palmer 1 , Sijing Li 2 , Mike Williams 2 , Minna Saaristo 1
  1. Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Victoria, EPA Science, Macleod, Victoria, Australia
  2. CSIRO Environment, Waite Campus, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

Recycled water is a valuable resource for agriculture globally. However, it can also be a source of biologically active contaminants of emerging concern (CECs), such as pharmaceuticals, phthalates, and endocrine disrupting chemicals. Using recycled water for irrigation can introduce these contaminants into the soil, providing a pathway for accumulation into edible crops. This study aimed to assess the presence and movement of CECs from recycled water to crops under real-world conditions. Specifically, this field study aimed to: (1) determine the concentration of CECs in irrigation water and soil; (2) quantify CECs in crops for human (broccoli, lettuce) and animal (ryegrass pasture) consumption; (3) investigate the potential for CECs to bioaccumulate in plant components (roots, leaves, florets) when recycled water was used for irrigation. Two recycled water irrigation scenarios in Victoria, Australia were examined: Class A market garden broccoli and lettuce, and Class C ryegrass pasture for livestock grazing. For both scenarios, two farms applying recycled water were compared to a reference farm from the same region that did not use recycled water. Across the 6 farms, 195 samples were examined, comprising of 55 water, 41 soil, and 99 plant samples. Samples were first analysed using non-targeted High Resolution Mass Spectrometry to screen for >1700 compounds. Then, a suite of contaminants of both emerging and legacy concern were selected for targeted analysis. This included pharmaceuticals and personal care products, phthalates, endocrine disrupting chemicals, pesticides, trace elements, plant stress indicators and antimicrobial resistance genes. A summary of preliminary results will be shared at the conference. To our knowledge, this is the first field study of CEC uptake into edible crops in Victoria. Findings will inform the development of EPA guidance and guidelines that support industry in managing risk from CECs in recycled water.