Circular water management in agriculture: Screening of contaminants of emerging concern in a real-world water-soil-crop system and human health risk assessment

Elena Koumaki, Antigoni Konomi, Georgios Gkotsis, Maria-Christina Nika, Taxiarchis Seintos, Evangelos Statiris, Niki Maragou, Nikolaos S. Thomaidis, Nikolaos Kouris, Daniel Mamais, Athanasios S. Stasinakis, Simos Malamis, Evina Katsou, Constantinos Noutsopoulos

Journal: Journal of Hazardous Materials

Year: 2025

Keywords: Contaminants of emerging concern, Human health risk assessment, Liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry, Maize uptake, Reclaimed water irrigation

Highlights

A total of 104 contaminants found in groundwater, raw and treated wastewater, soil and maize tissues.

Reclaimed water added more contaminants to soil than groundwater, varying by conditions.

Uptake of 14 contaminants in maize, with higher concentrations in reclaimed water-irrigated plants.

Human health risk from maize was negligible, but some contaminants need further study.

Abstract

Water reuse in agriculture supports climate resilience and circular economy principles, yet concerns remain regarding contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) in reclaimed water. This study investigates the occurrence, uptake, and potential risks of CECs in maize cultivated under two irrigation scenarios: precision drip irrigation using groundwater and reclaimed wastewater. A wide-scope target analysis of over 2200 CECs was performed in groundwater, raw and treated wastewater, irrigated soil, and maize plant tissues. A total of 104 CECs across nine chemical classes were detected in water samples, with wastewater treatment reducing 67 % of detected compounds. However, several pharmaceuticals and transformation products persisted post-treatment. Soil irrigated with treated wastewater exhibited a greater variety and higher concentrations of CECs than groundwater-irrigated soil. Maize plants accumulated 14 CECs in roots, stems, leaves, and corn, with higher concentrations in reclaimed water-irrigated crops. A human health risk assessment, based on the threshold of toxicological concern and hazard quotient approaches, indicated negligible risks at detected concentrations and expected dietary exposure levels. However, substances flagged for potential genotoxicity via in silico tools, such as acetaminophen and harmane, warrant further evaluation. These findings highlight the need for improved monitoring and targeted removal strategies to ensure safe and sustainable agricultural applications.

Citation: Koumaki, E., Konomi, A., Gkotsis, G., Nika, M.C., Seintos, T., Statiris, E., Maragou, N., Thomaidis, N.S., Kouris, N., Mamais, D. and Stasinakis, A.S., 2025. Circular water management in agriculture: Screening of contaminants of emerging concern in a real-world water-soil-crop system and human health risk assessment. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 492, p.138167.

Link to publication: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.138167 

SEL NTUA Innovation Pillars:

• Water and wastewater treatment and resource recovery

• Water and biomass management and valorisation

• Climate-related water resilience

• Aquatic ecosystems monitoring and pollution control