Bouchiba Elhem, Ellafi Ali, Ferrer Ariadna Verdaguer, Younes Sonia Ben, Haffouz Asma, HadjKacem Basma, Elgharbi Fatma, López-Maldonado Eduardo Alberto, Raldua Demetrio, Gómez-Canela Cristian, Borgi Mohamed Ali
Laboratory of Biotechnology and Biomonitoring of the Environment and Oasis Ecosystems (LBBEEO), Faculty of Sciences of Gafsa, University of Gafsa, 2112, Zarroug, Gafsa, Tunisia.
Laboratory of Analysis, Treatment and Valorisation of Environment Pollutants and Products, Faculty of Pharmacy, Monastir, Tunisia.
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2025 May;32(24):14465-14488. doi: 10.1007/s11356-025-36518-w. Epub 2025 May 23.
The phosphate fertilizer industry (PFI) in M'dhilla-Gafsa, Tunisia, discharges untreated effluents, creating environmental concerns due to unknown composition and toxic effects, leading to potential ecological and human health risks. This study characterized wastewater from three sampling points (SP1, SP2, SP3), and revealed their high acidity pH (2-3) and salinity (32.5-96.23 g/L). BOD/COD ratios indicated the high recalcitrance (0.01-0.1) of the effluents, reflecting their low biodegradability and persistence in the environment. Excessive levels of phosphorus (206-2094 mg/L), fluoride (154-1071 mg/L), and sulfates (835.5-9266 mg/L) were detected by ionic chromatography. ICP-MS analysis highlighted for the first time the potentially toxic elements (PTEs) content in Tunisian PFI effluent, such us Cd (0.31-0.44 mg/L), Al (7.1-27.8 mg/L), Mn (1.9-3.5 mg/L), B (15.9-25.2 mg/L), Fe (15.7-28.7 mg/L), Ni (0.37-0.48 mg/L), and Cr (1.1-2.12 mg/L). These levels exceeded the permissible national and international limits for industrial discharges, as well as those of the World Health Organization (WHO) for drinking water, indicating serious potential environmental risks. Moreover, phytotoxicity tests on Medicago sativa, Pisum sativum, and Zea mays showed decreased amylolytic and proteolytic activities during germination. Blood toxicity assays indicated significant hemolytic effects. Indeed, 50% of SP1, SP2, and SP3 wastewaters caused hemolysis percentages equal to 52.04%, 57%, and 66.77%, respectively, implying therefore an acute toxicity of the effluents. Additionally, HEK-293 cells mortality was higher after exposure to effluents, with IC of 12.06%, 24.23%, and 17.68% for SP1, SP2, and SP3, respectively. These findings emphasized the potential risks posed by PFI effluents to the surrounding ecosystem and the agricultural sector, leading to the contamination of the food chain. This alarming threat imposes stricter wastewater treatment measures and regulatory enforcement in the PFI sector.
突尼斯姆迪拉-加夫萨的磷肥工业（PFI）排放未经处理的废水，因其成分不明和毒性影响而引发环境问题，导致潜在的生态和人类健康风险。本研究对三个采样点（SP1、SP2、SP3）的废水进行了特征分析，发现其酸度很高（pH值为2-3）且盐度很高（32.5-96.23克/升）。生化需氧量/化学需氧量的比率表明废水的难降解性很高（0.01-0.1），反映出其生物降解性低且在环境中具有持久性。通过离子色谱法检测到过量的磷（206-2094毫克/升）、氟化物（154-1071毫克/升）和硫酸盐（835.5-9266毫克/升）。电感耦合等离子体质谱分析首次突出了突尼斯磷肥工业废水中潜在有毒元素（PTEs）的含量，如镉（0.31-0.44毫克/升）、铝（7.1-27.8毫克/升）、锰（1.9-3.5毫克/升）、硼（15.9-25.2毫克/升）、铁（15.7-28.7毫克/升）、镍（0.37-0.48毫克/升）和铬（1.1-2.12毫克/升）。这些含量超过了国家和国际规定的工业排放许可限值，以及世界卫生组织（WHO）规定的饮用水限值，表明存在严重的潜在环境风险。此外，对紫花苜蓿、豌豆和玉米的植物毒性测试表明，发芽过程中淀粉分解和蛋白水解活性降低。血液毒性检测表明有显著的溶血作用。事实上，SP1、SP2和SP3的50%废水分别导致溶血率达到52.04%、57%和66.77%，这意味着废水具有急性毒性。此外，暴露于废水后，HEK-293细胞的死亡率更高，SP1、SP2和SP3的半数抑制浓度分别为12.06%、24.23%和17.68%。这些发现强调了磷肥工业废水对周边生态系统和农业部门构成的潜在风险，导致食物链受到污染。这种令人担忧的威胁促使磷肥工业部门采取更严格的废水处理措施并加强监管执法。
