Emerging Contaminants in waste Water: Detection, and Treatment Innovations

Emerging contaminants (ECs) have become a growing global concern due to their persistence, bioaccumulation potential, and harmful ecological and health effects. These pollutants ranging from pharmaceuticals, personal care products, endocrine-disrupting compounds, pesticides, surfactants, and microplastics to antibiotic resistance genes are increasingly detected in wastewater and natural water bodies. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of their sources, classifications, and detection methods, emphasizing advanced analytical tools such as LC–MS/MS, GC–MS, HPLC, FT-IR, UV–Vis, Raman, and ICP–MS for accurate identification and quantification at trace levels. It further explores cutting-edge treatment innovations, including advanced oxidation and photocatalytic systems, membrane filtration technologies, adsorptive biochars and nanomaterials, as well as sustainable biological processes like algal–bacterial consortia and enzymatic bioreactors. These technologies demonstrate remarkable efficiency in removing complex contaminants, yet face challenges related to cost, scalability, energy demand, and secondary pollution. The review concludes that solving EC-related challenges requires integrating detection advancements with eco-friendly hybrid treatment systems and supportive regulatory policies. By linking science, technology, and governance, the study highlights a pathway toward sustainable wastewater management and environmental protection in the face of emerging pollutants.