Emerging Contaminants in the Aquatic Environment: Fate, Occurrence, Impacts, and Toxicity

Abstract

Emerging contaminants (ECs) are a broad group of chemicals, including pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs) (such as acetaminophen, sulfamethoxazole, carbamazepine, and triclosan), personal care products (PCPs) (like benzophenone-3 and octocrylene), pesticides (such as diazinon, malathion, and propoxur), X-ray contrast media (like iohexol and iopromide), artificial sweeteners (ASWs) (e.g., sucralose, acesulfame, and saccharin) as well as natural and synthetic hormones, among others. These unregulated anthropogenic chemicals are pervasive in the natural environment, due to several factors. In particular, the limitations and significant challenges of conventional treatment methods warrant special mention. These include high chemical stability of the contaminants, the formation of intermediate by-products, the energy and cost intensity of some of the treatment processes, as well as inadequate monitoring and regulation of ECs. Due to their distinctive physicochemical properties, ECs endure in the environment and are acknowledged as a potential group of toxins, given their demonstrated or potential adverse effects on human health and aquatic ecosystems, even at extremely low levels. Even though different techniques have been developed for treating ECs, they can still severely threaten human health and disturb the ecological balance. This chapter summarizes the various categories and the primary sources of ECs in the environment, their occurrence and distribution, environmental impacts, and the associated toxicity.

Topics & Concepts