Abstract
Wastewater contamination with pharmaceutical (PPCPs) in many developing countries is a big concern for agriculture which rely on wastewater as source for water and nutrient. The objectives of this project are to assess PPCPs in agricultural soils and crops irrigated with wastewater in India and Ghana, characterize PPCPS effects on soil microbial community, activities, and productivity, and suggesting simple low cost measure for mediating PPCPs. The underlying assumptions for the research are the intensive use of wastewater for crop production in Ghana and India, the high release of pharmaceuticals residues in wastewater in these countries and the unpredicted behavior of PPCPs in the environment are leading to pollution of soils and crops, which need to be explored. The expected result of the project are facts sheets and popular and scientific articles targeting relevant authorities and describing status and consequences of PPCPs in agriculture, guidelines for simple low cost mediation measures of PPCPs at home and farm targeting households and farmers. Throughout this project the researcher will collaborate with colleagues at International Water Management Institute (IWMI)/CGIAR in Ghana and India, who will provide insights for framing and communicating research results. The collaboration will contribute to build research capacity and bridge research gap between north and south and enhance the knowhow to use wastewater for productive agriculture yet preserve agro-ecosystems.
Sweden