Special Issue: Water analysis: emerging contaminants and current issues
Guest Editor
Prof. Upaka Rathnayake
Department of Civil Engineering and Construction,Faculty of Engineering and Design, Atlantic Technological University, Sligo, Ireland
Email: Upaka.Rathnayake@atu.ie
Manuscript Topics
Water analysis has become increasingly crucial as emerging contaminants, such as pharmaceuticals, personal care products, microplastics, and endocrine-disrupting chemicals, pose new challenges to water quality and public health. These pollutants often evade conventional treatment methods and persist in surface and groundwater, leading to potential ecological and human health risks. Current issues include the lack of standardized detection techniques, regulatory gaps, and the growing impact of industrial and agricultural runoff. Advancements in analytical technologies, such as high-resolution mass spectrometry and biosensors, are helping to identify and mitigate these contaminants, but continuous monitoring and policy interventions are essential to safeguard water resources.
Themes of interest;
Newly identified contaminants
• Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in water sources.
• Microplastics and nanoplastics impact on aquatic ecosystems and human health.
• Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as "forever chemicals."
• Endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) affecting hormonal systems.
• Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in wastewater.
Advanced detection and analysis techniques
• High-resolution mass spectrometry for trace contaminant detection.
• Biosensors for real-time monitoring of pollutants.
• AI and machine learning in water quality prediction and risk assessment.
Health and environmental impacts
• Long-term exposure risks of low-dose contaminants.
• Bioaccumulation of microplastics in food chains.
• Synergistic effects of multiple contaminants on ecosystems.
Challenges in water treatment and regulation
• Inefficiency of conventional wastewater treatment in removing emerging pollutants.
• Development of novel treatment technologies (e.g., advanced oxidation processes, nanotechnology-based filters).
• Regulatory gaps and need for global standards on emerging contaminants.
Climate change and water contaminants
• How extreme weather events (floods, droughts) affect contaminant dispersion.
• Impact of rising temperatures on chemical degradation and transformation in water bodies.
Public awareness and policy implications
• Need for better risk communication to the public.
• Implementation of stricter policies for industrial and pharmaceutical waste management.
• Role of citizen science in monitoring and reporting pollution levels.
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