Prioritization of organic contaminants in a reclaimed water irrigation system using wide-scope LC-HRMS screening

A prioritization procedure was developed and implemented at the local level to identify the most relevant organic contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) in an agricultural area irrigated with reclaimed water. A wide-scope screening methodology based on UPLC-HRMS analysis was applied to holistically characterize the CEC footprint in water and its spatial and temporal variations. One hundred and fifty-eight CECs, including pharmaceuticals, industrial chemicals, and pesticides, among others, were identified with a confidence level of 2 in the water samples investigated. After water treatment in the reclamation plant and transport within the irrigation channel network, more than a hundred compounds were still detected at the location where water is abstracted for crop irrigation. Compound ecotoxicity and occurrence (semi-quantified concentrations or peak intensity) were the parameters used to prioritize CECs in the water used for irrigation. Results pointed at venlafaxine, O-desmethyl-venlafaxine, galaxolidone, theophylline/paraxanthine, oxybenzone, and N-phenyl-1-naphtylamine, among others, as CECs of concern in the investigated area. This study provides a simple and cost-effective approach to detecting site-specific priority pollutants that could otherwise be overlooked by national or European regulations. The prioritization tool provided contributes to rationally designing monitoring and attenuation programs and efficiently managing water resources, by ensuring the safety of reclaimed water applications.

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: García-Vara, Manuel, Orlando-Véliz, Dana, Bonansea, Rocío Inés, Postigo, Cristina, López de Alda, Miren
Other Authors: European Commission
Format: artículo biblioteca
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2023-10-05
Subjects:Water reuse, Agriculture, Circular economy, Contaminants of emerging concern, Ecotoxicological risk assessment, Micropollutant, Non-target screening, Water analysis, http://metadata.un.org/sdg/3, Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages,
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/10261/334685
http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100000780
https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/85169183442
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