Fate and Transport of Chemical and Microbial Contaminants in the Irrigation System

The fate and transport of chemical and microbial contaminants in irrigation systems are critical concerns within the realm of agricultural and environmental sciences. These contaminants not only directly impact our food system and public health but also have significant environmental implications. For instance, contaminants like pesticides, heavy metals and pathogenic microorganisms can find their way onto crops through irrigated water, which potentially leads to ingestion of these contaminants by consumers. While contaminated irrigation runoffs can pollute freshwater sources leading to damaged aquatic ecosystems, groundwater reservoir contamination can have long-lasting effects on drinking water supplies. Furthermore, efficient irrigation management is essential for water resource sustainability. Hence, studying the fate and transport of contaminants helps optimize irrigation practices, reducing water waste and conserving this increasingly scarce resource. Minimizing contamination can also lead to reduced chemical inputs in agriculture, benefiting both the environment and farm profitability. Hence, continuously assessing and appraising water quality impacted by contaminants remains an ongoing research priority, with emerging methodologies and approaches aimed at enhancing surveillance.
This research topic is dedicated to understanding the transport of microbial (e.g., bacteria, viruses and protozoa) and chemical (e.g., pesticides, pharmaceuticals and personal care products, forever chemicals like per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contaminants) in water through irrigation systems.
This research topic may include original research and review papers on environmental water quality used for or has the potential to be used for irrigation on food crops.
The scope of topics that could be included (but not limited to) in this topic issue:
- Characterization of chemical and microbial contaminants in water sources
- Environmental health impact evaluation
- Novel methods in sampling, monitoring, and modelling to assess contaminants in irrigation waters
- Health implications from chemical and microbial contamination in irrigation waters
- Sources and pathways of contamination
- Conservation practices for reducing the environmental and health risks of contaminants in irrigation waters

Keywords: Irrigation water, microbes, chemicals, public health, risk and exposure assessment

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