We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Identification of Emerging Organic Pollutants in Aquatic Environments Under the Omics-Based Framework: A Review
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers review omics-based analytical frameworks for discovering emerging organic pollutants in aquatic environments using high-resolution mass spectrometry, covering non-target and suspect screening workflows and discussing how microplastic-associated chemicals and AI-assisted chemometrics are expanding the scope of contaminant identification beyond traditional targeted methods.
Emerging organic pollutants (EOPs) in aquatic environments have attracted increasing attention because many occur at trace levels, undergo transformation during environmental transport, and contribute to poorly resolved mixture risks. Traditional targeted analysis is inherently restricted to predefined compounds, whereas high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS)-based full-scan workflows provide broader opportunities for discovering known unknowns and previously unrecognized contaminants. This review critically synthesizes an omics-based analytical framework for aquatic environments, covering sample digitalization, instrumental analysis and acquisition modes, chemical fingerprint/non-target screening, suspect screening, effect-directed analysis, and confidence-based structural identification. Particular emphasis is placed on practical decision points and trade-offs, including dissolved versus particulate-associated analytes, LC-HRMS versus GC-HRMS coverage, hard versus soft ionization, DDA- versus DIA-type acquisition, database dependence, and the persistent difficulty of linking analytical features to toxicological relevance. The review also discusses emerging directions involving artificial intelligence, chemometrics, organometallic contaminants, and microplastic-associated chemicals. By clarifying conceptual boundaries and highlighting current limitations, this article aims to support the development of more critical, transparent, and risk-oriented workflows for the discovery and prioritization of emerging pollutants in aquatic environments.
More Papers Like This
Characteristics and Molecular Signatures of Microplastic-Derived Dissolved Organic Matter
AI summary Read the abstract
A synthesis of 51 studies found that smaller microplastics, higher temperatures, UV aging, and acidic conditions all increase the amount of dissolved organic matter that microplastics leach into water, with this leaching also acidifying aquatic environments. As microplastics accumulate and weather, the chemicals they release into water may pose additional risks beyond the particles themselves.
Classification and identification of polar pollutants on microplastics from freshwater using nontarget screening strategy
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers applied a nontarget screening strategy using high-resolution mass spectrometry to classify and identify polar pollutants adsorbed onto microplastics collected from Tai Lake and the Yangtze River. They annotated 4,723 chemical features and identified hundreds of polar compounds including industrial intermediates, pharmaceuticals, and surfactants, demonstrating that freshwater exposure significantly enriches the range of chemicals adsorbed relative to raw plastics.
Chemical contaminants and fish: implications for health and ecosystem sustainability
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers reviewed ecotoxicological effects of aquatic contaminants on fish, highlighting that microplastics and nanomaterials join heavy metals, pesticides, and pharmaceuticals in disrupting immune and neurological function, and that emerging tools such as omics technologies and machine learning now offer improved frameworks for assessing and managing these threats.
Prioritization of Emerging Pollutants Used for Fingerprinting Specific Water Sources
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated emerging pollutants, including microplastics, as fingerprinting tools for identifying specific water contamination sources. The study prioritized various synthetic organic compounds based on their potential for bioaccumulation and toxicological effects, aiming to improve monitoring and regulatory frameworks for water quality management.
Analytical approaches for quantifying and characterizing microplastics: Environmental impacts and bioaccumulation in aquatic Systems
AI summary Read the abstract
This review pulls together current science on how researchers detect and measure microplastics in water, soil, air, and living creatures, comparing tools like infrared light scanning and mass spectrometry to see what works best. The takeaway: microplastics build up in aquatic animals and are linked to hormone disruption and cell damage, which matters since these same particles can end up in the seafood we eat. The authors also point to newer, more eco-friendly testing methods that could help scientists track and manage this pollution more effectively going forward.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.