Climate change, water scarcity, and the need to feed a growing population are all currently driving an increase in the use of reclaimed wastewater for agricultural irrigation, especially in arid regions of the world, such as Israel. Tire additives, along with other wastewater-derived contaminants are expected to reach agricultural fields via irrigation with recycled wastewater. In a collaboration with the group of Professor Benny Chefetz from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, we are investigating whether these additives may be taken up by edible plants, and thereby be introduced into our food chain.
This project is funded by the HUJI-UNIVIE Joint Research Grant 2022.