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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.
The quality of water is crucial for the health of both the environment and humans, but new challenges from emerging contaminants threaten this vital resource. This paper reviews the origin and significance of water quality issues linked to emerging pollutants, including pharmaceuticals, personal care products, endocrine-disrupting chemicals, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, microplastics, pesticides, and industrial chemicals. These persistent chemicals exhibit complex behaviors and have the potential to impact ecological systems and human health significantly. The review comprehensively examines the pathways through which these pollutants enter water systems, such as agricultural runoff, industrial discharges, and urban stormwater runoff. It also covers the latest techniques for identifying these pollutants, emphasizing recent advancements in sampling methods and analytical techniques while highlighting the challenges of detecting contaminants at low concentrations. The discussion includes the environmental behavior of these contaminants, focusing on their properties, degradation mechanisms, and bioaccumulation potential. It further explores the impacts of these emerging contaminants on ecosystems and human health, examining both conventional and innovative treatment technologies. Additionally, the review identifies current research gaps and future trends in the analysis of new pollutants. It underscores the importance of public awareness, effective communication strategies, and innovative approaches to environmental protection.
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This review covers emerging contaminants in water including pharmaceuticals, PFAS, microplastics, and nanomaterials that escape conventional water treatment and persist in the environment. It evaluates advanced detection techniques and newer treatment methods such as membrane filtration, advanced oxidation, and bioremediation to address these pollutants that pose ongoing risks to public health.
Emerging pollutants in the environment: A challenge for water resource management
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This review surveys emerging pollutants in aquatic environments, including pharmaceuticals, microplastics, nanoparticles, and industrial chemicals that are not commonly monitored in water treatment. Researchers found that over 700 such substances have been identified across 22 countries, many of which persist through conventional water treatment processes. The study emphasizes the urgent need for updated monitoring frameworks and advanced treatment technologies to address these widespread but largely unregulated contaminants.
Introduction—Emerging Pollutants in Water: Threats, Challenges, and Research Needs
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This review examines contaminants of emerging concern in water, including microplastics, pharmaceuticals, and endocrine-disrupting compounds, that are not adequately addressed by current water treatment and regulation. These pollutants enter water through wastewater, industrial discharge, and agricultural runoff and persist in the environment. The authors call for better monitoring and innovative treatment strategies to protect human health and water resources.
Impact of Emerging Contaminants on Aquatic Ecosystems: A Mini-Review
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This mini-review examines how emerging contaminants—pharmaceuticals, pesticides, microplastics, and PFAS—enter aquatic ecosystems from industrial, urban, and agricultural sources, and summarizes their documented impacts on biodiversity and human health.
Emerging contaminants – general aspects: sources, substances involved, and quantification
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This review covers a range of emerging environmental contaminants — including microplastics in water bodies, pharmaceuticals, illicit drugs, and medical-use metals — discussing their sources, harmful effects, and detection methods. It provides useful context for understanding how microplastics fit into the broader landscape of modern chemical pollution threatening human and ecosystem health.
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