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Persistent and Emerging Organic Contaminants in Natural Environments
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Persistent and Emerging Organic Contaminants in Natural Environments

A special issue of Water (ISSN 2073-4441). This special issue belongs to the section "Water Quality and Contamination".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2024) | Viewed by 16269

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Jasmin Rauseo

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Guest Editor
National Research Council - Institute of Polar Sciences (CNR-ISP), Rome, Italy
Interests: emerging contaminants; antibiotics; ARGs; microbial ecology; ecotoxicity; biodegradation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Francesca Spataro

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
National Research Council - Institute of Polar Sciences (CNR-ISP), Rome, Italy
Interests: pharmaceutical; personal care products; abiotic compartments; bioaccumulation; development of analytical methods
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Luisa Patrolecco

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
National Research Council - Institute of Polar Sciences (CNR-ISP), Rome, Italy
Interests: POPs; emerging contaminants; analytical chemistry; persistence of contaminants; polar ecosystems
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue aims to investigate and understand the sources, fate, transport, and effects of persistent and emerging organic contaminants on natural ecosystems. These contaminants are spread in all environmental compartments at middle and high latitudes due to their worldwide production and consumption related to anthropogenic activities. Most of these organic micropollutants cause adverse effects on organisms at different levels of the trophic web. In this scenario, the investigation of the potential effects and toxicity associated with their occurrence in abiotic and biotic natural compartments can not be negligible. This Special Issue will update the state-of-the-art and partially fill the knowledge gap regarding these contaminants.

Dr. Jasmin Rauseo
Dr. Francesca Spataro
Dr. Luisa Patrolecco
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Water is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • emerging contaminants
  • POPs
  • source of contamination
  • fate of contaminants
  • short and long-range transport
  • ecotoxicity
  • environmental compartments

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Editorial

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5 pages, 175 KiB  
Editorial
Persistent and Emerging Organic Contaminants in Natural Environments
by Jasmin Rauseo, Francesca Spataro and Luisa Patrolecco
Water 2025, 17(3), 436; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17030436 - 5 Feb 2025
Viewed by 911
Abstract
In recent decades, the world has experienced the detrimental effects of the unchecked growth of various human activities, including industrialization, transportation, agriculture, and urbanization [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Persistent and Emerging Organic Contaminants in Natural Environments)

Research

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12 pages, 2098 KiB  
Article
Degradation of X-Ray Contrast Media in Anaerobic Membrane Bioreactors
by Jakub Konopka, Joanna Kalka and Sebastian Żabczyński
Water 2025, 17(2), 188; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17020188 - 11 Jan 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 986
Abstract
The presence of pharmaceutical compounds, including iodinated contrast media (ICM), in aquatic systems poses significant ecological and health risks due to their biological activity at low concentrations. This study investigated the removal efficiency of three selected ICM—diatrizoate, iohexol, and iodipamide—from synthetic hospital wastewater [...] Read more.
The presence of pharmaceutical compounds, including iodinated contrast media (ICM), in aquatic systems poses significant ecological and health risks due to their biological activity at low concentrations. This study investigated the removal efficiency of three selected ICM—diatrizoate, iohexol, and iodipamide—from synthetic hospital wastewater using anaerobic membrane bioreactors (MBRs) operated at varying sludge ages of 40, 70, and 100 days. The results indicated that the performance of the MBRs in removing organic compounds improved with increased sludge age. Diatrizoate exhibited the highest removal efficiency, achieving 72% at a sludge age of 40 days and nearly 90% at 70 and 100 days, with no substantial differences between the two higher sludge ages. In contrast, iohexol and iodipamide demonstrated relatively low and inconsistent removal efficiencies, reaching a maximum of 40%, with no observable dependency on sludge age. The findings underscore the importance of optimizing sludge age in biological treatment processes for effective ICM removal. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Persistent and Emerging Organic Contaminants in Natural Environments)
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20 pages, 8057 KiB  
Article
Molecular Fingerprinting of the Biodegradation of Petroleum Organic Pollutants in Groundwater and under Site-Specific Environmental Impacts
by Mingxing Yang, Yuesuo Yang, Xinyao Yang, Xiaoming Song, Xinqiang Du and Ying Lu
Water 2024, 16(13), 1773; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16131773 - 22 Jun 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1382
Abstract
A quantitative and qualitative assessment using molecular markers derived from compound-specific indices for indicating groundwater impacted by petroleum spills in an oil field was recently undertaken and demonstrated serious contamination, with both high total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) (3.68–7.32 mg/L) and hazardous compounds in [...] Read more.
A quantitative and qualitative assessment using molecular markers derived from compound-specific indices for indicating groundwater impacted by petroleum spills in an oil field was recently undertaken and demonstrated serious contamination, with both high total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) (3.68–7.32 mg/L) and hazardous compounds in the groundwater. A petroleum source was identified, and the analysis revealed a decreasing trend of fresh petroleum input, along with groundwater advection and an increasing trend of biodegradation potential at locations farther from the source. This was confirmed via microbial analysis with both biodegrading microorganisms and diversity indices (Shannon, Simpson, and Pielou) and the principal component analysis (PCA) modeling approach, which classified the field samples into three types according to the distribution correlations between different organic compounds. Biodegradation was believed to be the dominant sink of hydrocarbons due to the increasing Pr/C17 and Ph/C18 values with seasonal changes. Raised temperatures activated the microbial degradation process; specifically, low-weight hydrocarbons degraded more rapidly than high-weight hydrocarbons, resulting in the accumulation of an unresolved complex mixture of bioproducts at locations that were farther away. Spatially, the Pr/C17 and Ph/C18 values increased from the upstream to the downstream areas, showing substantial biodegradation. The relationships between the molecular markers and chemical indices were quantified via canonical correlation analysis (CCA) to visually explain the interactive reaction processes. It was also demonstrated that the biodegradation of petroleum organics can be characterized by the consumption of dissolved oxygen and a decreasing Pr/Ph ratio, due to system reduction. These results demonstrate that compound-specific molecular markers, coupled with biochemical parameters, can effectively support a better understanding and effective fingerprinting of the fate and transport of petroleum organic contaminants, thus offering valuable technical support for a cost-effective remediation strategy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Persistent and Emerging Organic Contaminants in Natural Environments)
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17 pages, 1736 KiB  
Article
Sorption of Halogenated Anti-Inflammatory Pharmaceuticals from Polluted Aqueous Streams on Activated Carbon: Lifetime Extension of Sorbent Caused by Benzalkonium Chloride Action
by Barbora Kamenická, Tomáš Weidlich and Miloslav Pouzar
Water 2023, 15(18), 3178; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15183178 - 6 Sep 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2093
Abstract
The enhancement of the adsorption capacity of activated carbon (AC) using benzalkonium chloride (BAC) within the adsorption of halogenated pharmaceuticals flufenamic acid (flufa) and diclofenac (dcf) was investigated in this study. An adsorption kinetic study was performed to evaluate [...] Read more.
The enhancement of the adsorption capacity of activated carbon (AC) using benzalkonium chloride (BAC) within the adsorption of halogenated pharmaceuticals flufenamic acid (flufa) and diclofenac (dcf) was investigated in this study. An adsorption kinetic study was performed to evaluate the adsorption mechanisms. The adsorption mechanism of both drugs on granulated AC as well as saturated AC activated by BAC can be evaluated via pseudo-second kinetic order. The equilibrium adsorption capacity of spent granulated AC in co-action with BAC (qflufa = 195.5 mg g−1 and qdcf = 199.5 mg g−1) reached the adsorption capacity of virgin granulated AC (qflufa = 203.9 mg g−1 and qdcf = 200.7 mg g−1). Finally, batch and column arrangements were compared in an effort to possible practical application of exhausted AC in co-action with BAC. In both column and batch experiments, adsorption capacities of spent granulated AC for flufa increased using BAC by 170.4 mg g−1 and 560.4 mg g−1, respectively. The proposed mechanism of adsorption enhancement is the formation of less polar ion pairs and its better affinity to the non-polar AC surface. The drug concentrations were determined using the voltammetric method on carbon paste electrodes. The formation of ion pairs has been studied by the H1 NMR technique, and solubility in water of drugs and respective ion pairs were investigated using octan-1-ol/water coefficients (POW). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Persistent and Emerging Organic Contaminants in Natural Environments)
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16 pages, 1810 KiB  
Article
Vicia faba Plant Suitability Assessment for Genotoxicity, Cytotoxicity, and Mutagenicity Testing of Pharmaceutical-Containing Wastewater
by Joanna Kalka and Justyna Drzymała
Water 2023, 15(17), 3044; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15173044 - 25 Aug 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1991
Abstract
The article aimed to assess the Vicia faba plant’s suitability in the micronucleus test for determining toxicity of wastewater containing diclofenac and sulfamethoxazole. Additionally, the study evaluated the activity of the antioxidant enzymes catalase and superoxide dismutase in plant leaves. The assessment of [...] Read more.
The article aimed to assess the Vicia faba plant’s suitability in the micronucleus test for determining toxicity of wastewater containing diclofenac and sulfamethoxazole. Additionally, the study evaluated the activity of the antioxidant enzymes catalase and superoxide dismutase in plant leaves. The assessment of wastewater was performed on laboratory-constructed wetland models. Both influent and effluent samples were tested, and the study examined two methods of plant root exposure: hydroponic culture and soil culture. The analysis showed a decrease in the mitotic index (57% inhibition on average in hydroponic and 42% in soil culture for influent and 39% and 19%, respectively, for treated wastewater), indicating the toxicity of the wastewater. The inhibition of the cell division frequency was lower in soil culture, and the frequency of aberrations of chromosomes was also lower. However, there was no increase in micronuclei frequency. An upsurge in catalase activity was observed upon analyzing the wastewater, with a 67% increase in the influent and a 20% increase in the treated wastewater. Additionally, there was a notable boost in superoxide dismutase activity, primarily in hydroponic culture with raw wastewater, averaging 186%. The results showed genotoxic and cytotoxic effects, but there were no mutagenic effects. The Vicia faba assay is advantageous for its simplicity and rapid results; it offers representative assessment of genotoxicity through its broad range of detected effects. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Persistent and Emerging Organic Contaminants in Natural Environments)
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23 pages, 2918 KiB  
Article
Batch Studies on the Biodegradation Potential of Paracetamol, Fluoxetine and 17α-Ethinylestradiol by the Micrococcus yunnanensis Strain TJPT4 Recovered from Marine Organisms
by Tânia Palma, Julia Valentine, Vera Gomes, Maria Faleiro and Maria Costa
Water 2022, 14(21), 3365; https://doi.org/10.3390/w14213365 - 23 Oct 2022
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3466
Abstract
The emerging pollutants paracetamol, fluoxetine and ethinylestradiol are inefficiently removed by conventional wastewater treatments, entering in aquatic environments in which they are hazardous. Aiming for the obtention of bacteria with the capacity for environmental bioremediation, eight bacteria were isolated from two consortia recovered [...] Read more.
The emerging pollutants paracetamol, fluoxetine and ethinylestradiol are inefficiently removed by conventional wastewater treatments, entering in aquatic environments in which they are hazardous. Aiming for the obtention of bacteria with the capacity for environmental bioremediation, eight bacteria were isolated from two consortia recovered from Hymedesmia versicolor and Filograna implexa marine organisms which exhibited a high-paracetamol-removal capacity. The isolates that displayed the ability to grow in the presence of 100 mg/L paracetamol as the sole carbon source were assigned to Paenibacillus, Micrococcus and Microbacterium genera. The isolate assigned to the Micrococcus yunnanensis strain TJPT4 presented the best performance, degrading 93 ± 4% of 15 mg/L paracetamol as the sole carbon source after 360 h, and was also apparently able to degrade the produced metabolites. This strain was able to remove 82.1 ± 0.9% of 16 mg/L fluoxetine after 504 h, mainly by adsorption, but apparently a biodegradation contribution also occurred. This strain was able to remove 66.6 ± 0.2% of 13 mg/L 17α-ethinylestradiol after 360 h. As far as is known, Micrococcus yunnanensis is for the first time recovered/identified in Filograna implexa, presenting a high drug removal efficiency, thereby becoming a great candidate for treatment processes (e.g., bioaugmentation), especially in the presence of saline intrusions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Persistent and Emerging Organic Contaminants in Natural Environments)
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Review

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25 pages, 398 KiB  
Review
Beyond Bioremediation: The Untapped Potential of Microalgae in Wastewater Treatment
by Davide Liberti, Filipa Pinheiro, Beatriz Simões, João Varela and Luísa Barreira
Water 2024, 16(19), 2710; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16192710 - 24 Sep 2024
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 4136
Abstract
Microalgae-based wastewater bioremediation has emerged as a promising and sustainable solution for water purification by harnessing the natural ability of microalgae to absorb and transform pollutants. In the literature, it is possible to find diverse microalgae applications in wastewater treatment, highlighting their efficiency [...] Read more.
Microalgae-based wastewater bioremediation has emerged as a promising and sustainable solution for water purification by harnessing the natural ability of microalgae to absorb and transform pollutants. In the literature, it is possible to find diverse microalgae applications in wastewater treatment, highlighting their efficiency in nutrient removal, heavy metal sequestration, and overall water quality enhancement. Although microalgae demonstrate remarkable potential for wastewater treatment, there is a critical gap in research concerning the utilization of biomass produced during the treatment process, including large-scale biomass harvesting methods, economic viability assessments, and the exploration of innovative downstream applications. By shedding light on these deficiencies, the aim of this review is to encourage further research and development to maximize the potential of microalgae in removing wastewater pollution and the application of biomass derived from the treatment. In conclusion, this review not only underscores the overall efficiency of microalgae in wastewater bioremediation but also emphasizes the necessity of a more comprehensive approach that considers the full lifecycle of microalgae, from wastewater treatment to innovative applications of biomass, addressing both environmental and economic concerns. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Persistent and Emerging Organic Contaminants in Natural Environments)
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