Evaluation of the Pathway of Contaminants in the Environment: A Case Study of Different Aquatic Environmental Compartments

Abstract

The occurrence of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) in several environmental compartments has raised significant concern given the extensive array of compounds and their consistent detection across various environmental matrices. Monitoring all potentially harmful compounds and identifying their sources is nearly impossible. However, providing data on their occurrence is crucial and lays the groundwork for decision makers to craft mitigation strategies toward a more sustainable water policy. Hence, the primary aim of this study was to conduct an evaluation study on CECs occurrence in the environment. The main novelty relies on understanding their specific pathway in three different environmental aquatic compartments. For that, a combined study of a systematic review and systemic analysis was performed. Initially, the five most common types of CECs found in aquatic ecosystems (groundwater and surface water) and wastewater were considered. For each group of CECs, five contaminants were identified. A bibliographic portfolio was generated through the application of a systematic review. Finally, a systemic analysis of the bibliographic portfolio was conducted. All classes of contaminants studied were identified in the environmental compartments evaluated. Except for pesticides, the degree of contamination by CECs followed a sequence based on the aquatic compartment (i.e., WW–SW–GW).