We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Current scenario of emerging pollutants in farmlands and water reservoirs: Prospects and challenges
AI summary Read the abstract
This review looks at how pollutants like microplastics and pharmaceutical residues end up in farmland and water supplies, with global plastic production exceeding 400 million metric tons per year. The authors warn that these contaminants can enter the food chain through soil and water, potentially affecting human health, and call for better monitoring and cleanup strategies.
Globally, roughly more than 400 million metric tons of plastics are produced annually. Similarly, the pharmaceuticals business is rising exponentially yearly, 5.8 %. It is expected to increase from USD 714 billion to USD 1454 billion by 2029. Beyond their intended uses, these substances are released into the environment as contaminants due to improper usage and management practices. Therefore, pharmaceuticals and microplastics (MPs) are classified as emerging pollutants (EPs), and their existence in agricultural ecosystems adversely affects soil and environmental health, ultimately impacting both ecological and human well-being. Pharmaceuticals and MP-loaded organic amendments (especially manure) are a primary cause of emerging soil pollutants. The increasing application of treated wastewater or biosolids as irrigation water or soil conditioners, mainly when derived from untreated sewage sludge, can introduce pharmaceuticals and MPs into the farmlands, merging these pollutants within the soil medium. The co-occurrence of MPs and pharmaceuticals leads to prolonged environmental presence and gradual bioaccumulation in organisms over time, contributing to persistent contamination and long-lasting effects on ecosystems. Moreover, these EPs have the potential to alter the composition of soil biogeochemistry and disrupt overall soil health and productivity. Numerous methods have been developed to address this emerging issue, including electrochemical degradation, advanced oxidation processes, photocatalytic degradation, biosurfactants, micro- and nano-bubble systems, ultrasonic cavitation, nanotechnology, constructed wetlands, and many hybrid approaches. This review explores the extent of EPs, their interactions, and management strategies in EPs-contaminated environments.
More Papers Like This
Contaminants of emerging concern in agricultural soils: Current understanding, overlooked issues, and future priorities
AI summary Read the abstract
This review synthesizes evidence on how contaminants of emerging concern, including pharmaceuticals, microplastics, and PFAS, enter agricultural soils, accumulate in crops, and affect ecological and human health. The study found that these contaminants pose complex risks including antimicrobial resistance and sublethal impacts on plant and soil systems, while highlighting critical knowledge gaps that need to be addressed.
Detection, occurrence, and fate of emerging contaminants in agricultural environments (2019)
AI summary Read the abstract
This annual review covers 2018 research on the detection, occurrence, and fate of emerging contaminants in agricultural environments, including microplastics, pharmaceuticals, and pesticides applied through irrigation water and biosolids. The review highlights farmland as a significant reservoir for emerging pollutants that can leach to groundwater or be taken up by crops.
Environmental geochemistry of emerging contaminants: impacts on agroecosystem function, food security, and human health
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examines how emerging contaminants including microplastics, PFAS, pharmaceuticals, and engineered nanomaterials threaten agricultural ecosystems and food safety. Researchers found that these pollutants persist in soil, accumulate in crops, and disrupt beneficial soil organisms, creating complex risks that are difficult to manage with current approaches. The study emphasizes the urgent need for integrated monitoring and remediation strategies to protect both food production and human health.
Microplastics, PFAS, and Pharmaceutical Residues as Emerging Contaminants in the Global Food Chain
AI summary Read the abstract
This chapter reviews how microplastics, PFAS, and pharmaceutical residues enter the global food chain through industrial discharge, agricultural practices, and environmental runoff, emphasising their persistence and bioaccumulation. It evaluates the human health implications and regulatory challenges of managing these co-occurring emerging contaminants.
Emerging contaminants and their influence on plants: An in-depth review
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examines how emerging contaminants including microplastics, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and nanomaterials accumulate in soil and affect plant health. The study found these pollutants can disrupt plant growth through various toxic mechanisms and persist in food webs, highlighting the need for effective mitigation strategies to protect crop productivity, soil health, and food security.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.