On-Farm Removal of Pesticides: Current Insights on Biopurification Systems

Abstract

Point source contamination with pesticides is likely to occur at the farm level when pesticide-containing residues are not properly handled. To address this issue, biopurification systems (BPSs) were developed as a biotechnological approach for the on-farm treatment of pesticide-containing wastewater of agricultural origin. Despite the high removal capacity demonstrated toward diverse pesticides, BPSs have not been successful in eliminating some active ingredients, particularly from very persistent chemical groups. Moreover, the assessment of BPS efficiency has barely included an ecotoxicological evaluation, a key factor in terms of bioremediation. Proper optimization of BPS regarding the design of enhanced biomixtures (biological active matrix of BPSs) and the assessment of their behavior during real pesticide application cycles are required before massive field implementation; furthermore, specific biomixtures and operational recommendations should be applied for each crop/pesticide application cycle. This Review discusses several of these topics, including (i) pesticide removal scope; (ii) ecotoxicological monitoring of BPSs; (iii) biomixture optimization and enhancement by bioaugmentation approaches; (iv) the use of BPSs for the disposal of antibiotics and the effects of these compounds on pesticide removal; (v) unsolved operational guidelines like the BPS's life span and disposal of spent biomixtures.

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