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Prioritization of Emerging Pollutants Used for Fingerprinting Specific Water Sources
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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.
Emerging Pollutants (EPs) are synthetic organic compounds identified in the environment that may potentially threaten ecological systems and human health. They can enter water systems from a variety of sources and are of particular concern due to their potential for bioaccumulation and toxicological effects. Their origin and environmental impact are not yet fully understood, so the monitoring of these compounds by regulatory bodies is not yet completely established. EPs cover a broad spectrum of substances, including pharmaceuticals, personal care products, endocrine disruptors, pesticides, and microplastics, that are not always detected by traditional monitoring targeted analysis. Non-targeted analysis (NTA) or suspect screening (SS) employing high-resolution mass spectrometry has emerged as a promising tool for environmental monitoring to identify and prioritize a broader spectrum of emerging contaminants that are not routinely monitored and their transformation products. Here we present a comprehensive review of NTA strategies for screening EPs, covering major insights on the current methodologies and limitations, workflows used for NTA and considerations during sampling, sample preparation, instrumental data acquisition, analysis, and approaches for identification and prioritization of EP in water sources. We have ultimately prioritized predominant and toxic compounds in groundwater, drinking water, surface water, wastewater, and leachates.
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Researchers reviewed environmental forensics approaches for detecting hidden water pollutants, including microplastics and nanoplastics. The study evaluates advanced analytical techniques such as chromatography and spectroscopy for their ability to identify and trace the sources of emerging contaminants in water systems with specificity and accuracy.
Identification of Emerging Organic Pollutants in Aquatic Environments Under the Omics-Based Framework: A Review
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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.
Pollution Mechanisms and Source Apportionment of Typical Pollutants in Aquatic Environments
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This collection of studies rounds up new scientific tools—like chemical fingerprinting and machine learning—that help researchers pinpoint exactly where water pollutants like microplastics and contaminated runoff are coming from, and how well treatment plants remove them. Knowing the specific sources of pollution matters because it allows for more targeted cleanup efforts, which could ultimately reduce the amount of microplastics and contaminants that end up in our drinking water and food supply. This is a research roundup rather than a single new discovery, but it lays groundwork for smarter water safety policies going forward.
A comprehensive review of emerging contaminants in water sources
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This comprehensive review examines the origins and environmental significance of emerging contaminants in water sources, including pharmaceuticals, microplastics, endocrine disruptors, and PFAS chemicals. Researchers found that these persistent pollutants exhibit complex behaviors in aquatic systems and pose threats to both ecosystem and human health. The study highlights the need for advanced monitoring and treatment technologies to address the growing challenge of emerging contaminant pollution in water supplies.
Which Micropollutants in Water Environments Deserve More Attention Globally?
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This review analyzed over 80 studies to determine which chemical micropollutants in water deserve the most attention for cleanup efforts worldwide. Using risk-based methods, researchers identified hundreds of compounds from pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and industrial chemicals that pose risks to aquatic life and human health. While not focused on microplastics directly, the findings are relevant because microplastics can absorb and concentrate many of these same chemicals, potentially increasing human exposure through contaminated water.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.