An Overview of Heavy Metal Contamination in Water from Agriculture: Origins, Monitoring, Risks, and Control Measures

Roxana Maria Madjar and Gina Vasile Scăețeanu ()
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Roxana Maria Madjar: Faculty of Agriculture, University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, 59 Marasti Blvd., District 1, 011464 Bucharest, Romania
Gina Vasile Scăețeanu: Faculty of Agriculture, University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, 59 Marasti Blvd., District 1, 011464 Bucharest, Romania

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 16, 1-31

Abstract: Agricultural activities are widely recognized as major sources of water pollution, primarily due to the introduction of heavy metals (HMs) through fertilizers, pesticides, manures, sewage sludge, and irrigation water. Owing to their persistence and non-biodegradability, these metals pose substantial risks to ecosystems and public health. While certain HMs such as cobalt, copper, and zinc are essential micronutrients for crops at low concentrations, others—like arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury—enter agricultural systems as contaminants and serve no biological function in plants. This paper explores the complex issue of HM contamination in water resulting from agricultural practices. It reviews the primary sources and pathways through which HMs enter aquatic systems, discusses their ecological and health impacts, and examines analytical methods used for HM detection and monitoring. In response to this challenge, several mitigation strategies are highlighted, including the optimized use of agrochemicals, adoption of sustainable farming practices, and implementation of phytoremediation and bioremediation techniques. Additionally, the importance of community education and regulatory enforcement is emphasized as part of an integrated approach to pollution control. Ultimately, this paper underscores the need for balanced solutions that safeguard water resources while maintaining agricultural productivity.

Keywords: agriculture; aquatic ecosystem; biomagnification; bioaccumulation; heavy metals; HMs; input; phytoremediation; pollution; water (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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