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A bibliometric analysis of emerging contaminants (ECs) (2001−2021): Evolution of hotspots and research trends
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This bibliometric analysis reviewed approximately 8,000 research publications on emerging contaminants from 2001 to 2021 to track how the field has evolved. Researchers found that the focus has shifted over time from simply identifying contaminants to understanding their sources, risks, and control strategies. The study highlights that microplastics, antibiotic resistance genes, and pharmaceuticals are among the fastest-growing areas of emerging contaminant research.
Emerging contaminants (ECs) have attracted increasing attention in the past two decades because of their ubiquitous existence and high environmental risk. Understanding the progress of research and the evolution of hot topics is critical. This study provides a bibliometric review, along with a quantitative trend analysis of approximately 8000 publication records dated from 2001 to 2021. Wider distribution in various subjects was discovered in terms of publication numbers, indicating a strong tendency for EC research to become an interdisciplinary topic. Visualization of term co-occurrence analysis revealed that the ECs study went through three stages over time: identification and detection, traceability and risk, and process and control. Quantitative trend analysis revealed that antibiotics, microplastics, endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), per/poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), pesticides, heavy metals, and nanoparticles are attracting increasing attention, whereas conventional pharmaceuticals, persistent organic pollutants, and materials such as benzotriazole, diclofenac, bisphenol A, carbamazepine, triclosan, and titanium dioxide exhibit a downward trend. PFAS and EDCs are considered potential future core hotspots for the hysteretic rise in research attention compared with conventional ECs. Furthermore, analysis of research linkage and the developing stages of ECs could be possible approach to determine the evolution of hotspots in ECs study. This study provides objective and comprehensive insights into the research landscape of ECs, which may shed light on future developmental directions for researchers interested in this field.
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This large-scale bibliometric analysis reviewed over 62,000 studies on emerging contaminants published between 2000 and 2024, finding that microplastics are among the fastest-growing areas of environmental health research. The analysis highlights that understanding how microplastics interact with other pollutants like pharmaceuticals and endocrine disruptors is a critical frontier for protecting human health.
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This bibliometric study analyzed trends in microplastics research from 2020 to 2024, finding a rapid increase in publications with growing specialization in areas like ecotoxicology, detection methods, and pollution control. Key research hotspots include microplastic effects on human health, interactions with other pollutants, and removal technologies. The analysis reveals that while the field is maturing rapidly, significant gaps remain in understanding real-world health impacts and developing effective remediation strategies.
The emergence, trajectory, and impacts of emerging contaminants publications in the Journal of Environmental Quality
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This paper tracks the history and trajectory of emerging contaminants research — including microplastics, pharmaceuticals, and hormones — as published in the Journal of Environmental Quality since the early 2000s. The analysis shows exponential growth in publications and a broadening definition of what counts as an 'emerging contaminant.' This review provides a useful historical context for microplastic research as part of the broader emerging contaminants field.
Global performance and trends of research on emerging contaminants in sewage sludge: A Bibliometric Analysis from 1990 to 2023
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This bibliometric analysis tracked research trends on emerging contaminants in sewage sludge from 1990 to 2023, showing a sharp increase in studies on microplastics, antibiotic resistance genes, and pharmaceutical compounds. China, Spain, and the USA lead in research output. The review highlights that microplastics in sewage sludge are a growing concern because sludge is often applied to farmland, creating a direct pathway for contaminants to enter the food chain.
A global bibliometric analysis of research on microplastics from 2004 to 2020
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