The use of reclaimed wastewater in agriculture irrigation is a cost-effective solution that has recently garnered lots of interests from academic community and government. However, there is limited information regarding how emerging trace organic contaminants are transferred from wastewater to agricultural products, and subsequently to human beings. In this study, we have simulated the fate (soil degradation, plant uptake, and animal bioaccumulation) of emerging trace organic pollutants including carbamazepine, gemfibrozil, ibuprofen, naproxen, and triclosan, in a well-controlled farmland receiving reclaimed wastewater for irrigation. Human exposure and their associated health risks were also evaluated. Depending on the soil degradation rate, soil concentrations approached steady state after 30-202 day of irrigation. Plant uptake and equilibrium concentration contributed largely to the uncertainty in estimation of soil concentrations and their dynamics. Human dietary exposure to trace organics and related health risk were assessed to be relatively low, especially under the scenario that the wastewater will be treated to high quality through advanced processes. We developed a model framework applicable for simulating the fate of trace organic compounds during wastewater reuse in agriculture and evaluating their health impacts.<br/> <br/>

Simulation for the fate of emerging trace organic contaminants during reuse of reclaimed wastewater in agriculture

2019 Spring National Meeting

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