Transfer of Pharmaceutical Contaminants from Reclaimed Water to Tomato Fruits: Implications for Food Safety and Agricultural Productivity

This study investigates the uptake of pharmaceutical compounds by tomato plants irrigated with treated wastewater (TWW), a primary irrigation source in water-scarce Jordan. Two greenhouse experiments were conducted comparing tomato plots irrigated with either freshwater or TWW from the Khirbet As-Samra treatment plant (KASTP). TWW contained pathogenic microorganisms (total coliform ۱۶۰۰ CFU/mL, total bacteria ۹۰۰ CFU/mL, fungi ۶۰ CFU/mL, Salmonella and Pseudomonas). Variable concentrations of pharmaceutical compounds, with ibuprofen highest at ۴.۹ µg/L. Analysis of plant tissues revealed differential accumulation of pharmaceuticals: carbamazepine (CBZ) showed remarkable bioaccumulation in fruits (۱۰.۴۷ µg/mL) compared to roots (۲.۱۴ µg/mL) and leaves (۱.۶۹ µg/mL), while diclofenac exhibited limited plant uptake despite high water concentrations. Plant growth and yield were significantly reduced in TWW-irrigated plants (mean height ۱.۰۶ m, fruit weight ۲.۸۵ kg) compared to freshwater controls (۱.۱۹ m, ۳.۴۰ kg), attributed to salinity-induced osmotic stress. These findings demonstrate that while TWW irrigation enables agriculture in water-scarce regions, it presents dual challenges: potential introduction of pharmaceutical residues into the food chain through crop uptake, and reduced agricultural productivity due to salinity. Results underscore the need for advanced treatment technologies targeting pharmaceutical removal and salinity reduction, coupled with on-farm management strategies to ensure food safety and sustainable agricultural productivity.

کلیدواژه ها:

Water Reuse ، chemical pollutants ، Microbial Contamination ، Tomato growth and production