Dear Colleagues,

Emerging contaminants (CECs) are defined strictly as any synthetic or naturally occurring chemical or any microorganism that is not commonly monitored in the environment but has the potential to enter the environment and cause known or suspected adverse ecological and/or human health effects. It is important to note that most emerging contaminants are not pollutants that are totally new or have just gained entry into the environment. Rather, most emerging contaminants are well-established pollutants with a newly demonstrated toxic effect or mode of action. Thus, the word “emerging” refers not only to the contaminant itself but also to an emerging concern about the contaminant. As such, emerging contaminants are often referred to as “chemicals of emerging concern” or “contaminants of emerging concern”. Emerging contaminants are typically divided into chemicals and to biological emerging contaminants such as pathogens. 

Freshwater ecosystems are essential for human survival, providing most drinking water and being home to several species belonging to different taxa. Despite their value and importance, however, many lakes, rivers, and wetlands around the world are being severely damaged by human activities and are declining at a much faster rate than terrestrial ecosystems. 

Environmental monitoring is critical to the protection of human health and the environment. As the human population continues to increase, as industrial development, energy and land use continue to expand, and despite advances in pollution control, the continued production of pollution remains inevitable. Thus, the need for environmental monitoring is still as great as ever. The current body of evidence on the nature and spread of CECs is thin, and further data are needed. Therefore, this Special Issue aims to focus on the occurrence and fate of CECs in the aquatic environment. 

Dr. Paolo Pastorino
Prof. Dr. Antoni Ginebreda
Guest Editors

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• endocrine-disrupting compounds
• freshwater ecosystem
• industrial chemicals
• marine ecosystem
• microplastics
• nanomaterials
• pathogens
• personal care products
• pharmaceuticals
• risk assessment
• toxicity assessment