Two main issues have a high impact in the agricultural food production: the lack of water resources in some European countries and pollution with pesticides. The use of pesticides for pest control is a common practice. However, the usage patterns of water among European countries differ, e.g. Scandinavian countries rely on natural precipitation while many South European countries are facing difficulties in meeting the water demand of crops. In some European countries the use of treated wastewater has been implemented for irrigation when natural freshwater sources are scarce. By means of specific regional water management practices, there is an introduction of different organic pollutants to the soil crops.
AWARE aims to investigate the fate and potential reduction of pesticides and wastewater-borne contaminants in soil/plants from agricultural crops. Moreover, it will evaluate environmental risks in agricultural fields due to the use of pesticides and the irrigation practices involving reused wastewater. Both pollution sources may have some inherent risks associated to food production.
*At the time of the proposal. Please consider this data as an accurate estimate; it may vary during the project’s lifespan.
Total costs include in kind contribution by grant holders and can therefore be higher than the total requested funding.