Emerging contaminants in water used for maize irrigation: Economic and food safety losses associated with ciprofloxacin and glyphosate

• Published in: Ecotoxicology and environmental safety 2020-06, Vol.196, p.110549, Article 110549
• Main Authors: Gomes, Marcelo Pedrosa, Rocha, Daiane Cristina, Moreira de Brito, Júlio César, Tavares, Davi Santos, Marques, Raizza Zorman, Soffiatti, Patrícia, Sant’Anna-Santos, Bruno Francisco
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agricultural Irrigation; Aminomethylphosphonic acid; Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents - pharmacokinetics; Anti-Bacterial Agents - toxicity; Antibiotics; Ciprofloxacin - pharmacokinetics; Ciprofloxacin - toxicity; Crops; Crops, Agricultural - anatomy & histology; Crops, Agricultural - drug effects; Crops, Agricultural - economics; Food Safety; Glycine - analogs & derivatives; Glycine - pharmacokinetics; Glycine - toxicity; Glyphosate; Herbicide; Humans; Photosynthesis - drug effects; Plant Leaves - anatomy & histology; Plant Leaves - drug effects; Plant Leaves - metabolism; Water Pollutants, Chemical - pharmacokinetics; Water Pollutants, Chemical - toxicity; Zea mays - anatomy & histology; Zea mays - drug effects; Zea mays - metabolism
• ISSN: 0147-6513; 1090-2414
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.110549

Chemicals used to assure agricultural production and the feasibility of planting sites often end up in bodies of water used for crop irrigation. In a pot study, we investigated the consequences associated with the irrigation of maize with water contaminated by ciprofloxacin (Cipro; 0, 0.2, 0.8, 1.4 and 2.0 μg l−1) and/or glyphosate (0, 5, 25 and 50 mg l−1) on yields and food safety. Glyphosate in concentrations ≥25 mg l−1 prevented plant establishment, regardless of Cipro presence. Evaluations made at the V5 stage of plants reveal that Cipro concentrations ≥0.8 μg l−1 and glyphosate decreased photosynthesis and induced changes in leaf anatomy and stem biophysical properties that may contribute to decreased kernel yields. When those chemicals were applied together, kernel yield reductions were accentuated, evidencing their interactive effects. Irrigation with contaminated water resulted in accumulations of Cipro and glyphosate (as well as its metabolite, aminomethylphosphonic acid) in plant tissues. Accumulation of these chemicals in plant tissues such as leaves and kernels is a problem, since they are used to feed animals and humans. Moreover, these chemicals are of potential toxicological concern, principally due to residue accumulations in the food chain. Specially, the antibiotic residue accumulations in maize tissues can assist the induction of antibiotic resistance in dangerous bacteria. Therefore, we point out the urgency of monitoring the quality of water used for crop irrigation to avoid economic and food-quality losses. [Display omitted] •Both Glyphosate and Ciprofloxacin decreased maize kernel yields.•Kernel yield was reduced when glyphosate and cipro were applied together.•Irrigation with contaminated water resulted in accumulations of Cipro and Glyphosate in plant tissues.•It is urgent to monitor the quality of water used for crop irrigation to avoid economic and food-quality losses.