Submit to Special Issue Submit Abstract to Special Issue Review for Water Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Pollution Mechanisms and Source Apportionment of Typical Pollutants in Aquatic Environments

Print Special Issue Flyer
Special Issue Editors
Special Issue Information
Keywords
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
Published Papers

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 5 November 2025 | Viewed by 3249

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Qianqian Zhang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Institute of Hydrogeology and Environmental Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Shijiazhuang 050061, China
Interests: sources analysis; migration and transformation of biomass; evolution of water chemistry; water quality assessment
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue focuses on the pollution mechanisms and source apportionment of typical pollutants in various water systems within a watershed, including rivers, lakes, and groundwater. It aims to provide a comprehensive and in-depth academic exchange platform for researchers of water environments. The content of this Special Issue will cover water quality assessments, the pollution mechanisms of typical pollutants, the migration and transformation processes of pollutants, source tracking of pollution, the development and application of water quality models, as well as ecological impact assessments caused by water quality changes. These research findings will not only help us more accurately understand the dynamics of water quality within the watershed, but also provide a solid theoretical basis for formulating scientific and effective water quality protection measures. We sincerely invite water environment scientists, engineers, policymakers, and water resource managers to participate in this Special Issue. Our goal is to promote comprehensive exchanges across disciplines and fields and jointly advance the process of water environmental protection and sustainable development. We look forward to your active contributions to the academic developments and practical applications in this field.

Prof. Dr. Qianqian Zhang
Guest Editor

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

rivers, lakes, and groundwater
water quality
hydrochemistry
pollution sources
sources analysis
assessment methods
isotope technology
machine learning
multivariate statistical techniques
models

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (6 papers)

Download All Papers

Order results

Result details

Show export options Show export options

Select all

Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

20 pages, 5554 KB

Open AccessArticle

Sources and Transport of Dissolved Organic Matter (DOM) in Surface and Groundwater Within a Dominated Greenhouse Agriculture Catchment: Insights from Multi-Tracer

by Haoyang Wang, Shuang Song, Wei Xu and Fu-Jun Yue

Water 2025, 17(18), 2681; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17182681 - 10 Sep 2025

Abstract

Intensive greenhouse agriculture significantly alters dissolved organic matter (DOM) dynamics in aquatic ecosystems, but related research remains scarce. To address this knowledge gap, this study employed an integrated approach combining Excitation–Emission Matrix Parallel Factor Analysis (EEM-PARAFAC), Two-Dimensional Correlation Spectroscopy (2D-COS), and Self-Organizing Map (SOM) analyses with hydrochemical and stable water isotopes (δ¹⁸O and δD) to investigate the dynamic characteristics of DOM in surface water and groundwater in an intensive greenhouse agriculture catchment (XER) in northern China. Water chemistry and isotope results consistently demonstrated mixing between surface water and groundwater, which was attributed to irrigation pumping. Four fluorescent components were identified via EEM-PARAFAC (C1 and C4 are humic components, while C2 and C3 are tryptophan components), with microbial decomposition of organic fertilizers and domestic wastewater discharge being important sources. Compared with tryptophan components, terrestrial humic substances in groundwater preferentially change in the parallel river direction, while microbial humic substances are more sensitive in the vertical direction, as confirmed by 2D-COS. SOM analysis validated the EEM-PARAFAC results through component plane visualization, demonstrating both DOM inter-component relationships and their correlations with inorganic ions. These results provide critical scientific support for developing sustainable water resource management strategies and optimizing organic fertilizer use in greenhouse agricultural systems, with important practical implications for protecting groundwater quality in intensively cultivated catchments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pollution Mechanisms and Source Apportionment of Typical Pollutants in Aquatic Environments)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

17 pages, 1280 KB

Open AccessArticle

Spatiotemporal Distribution Characteristics and Removal Efficiency of Microplastics in a Wastewater Treatment Plant

by Xudong Chen, Yang Li, Keyi Lu, Xishu Liang, Kaibo Jin, Tianyu Ao, Lei Zhang, Jingjing Lv, Yanyan Dou and Xuejun Duan

Water 2025, 17(17), 2614; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17172614 - 3 Sep 2025

Viewed by 685

Abstract

This study examined the removal efficiency of microplastics (MPs) in a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in Zhengzhou, China. A three-point sampling approach (influent, process effluent, and final effluent) was employed, with samples collected across three seasons (summer, winter, and autumn) to investigate seasonal variations in MPs. The abundance of MPs in influent ranged from 184.3 ± 4.0 to 145.3 ± 24.0 n/L, while in the process effluent it decreased to 79.3 ± 18.7 to 62.3 ± 15.0 n/L. Furthermore, in final effluent it was further reduced to 26.0 ± 7.0 to 38.7 ± 5.1 n/L. Fragments and granule-shaped MPs predominated (>80%), with polypropylene (PP, 42.6%) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET, 31.8%) emerging as the dominant polymer types. The removal efficiency of MPs in the WWTP was 86%, 81%, and 73% in summer, autumn, and winter, respectively. Additionally, the plant exhibited differing removal efficiencies for MPs of varying sizes. Notably, residual sludge retained substantial MPs loads, with seasonal abundances measuring 22.3 ± 3.2, 14.2 ± 2.4, and 29.1 ± 6.7 n/g in summer, autumn, and winter samples, respectively. The findings underscore the importance of implementing effective management strategies and interventions in wastewater systems to mitigate MP pollution. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pollution Mechanisms and Source Apportionment of Typical Pollutants in Aquatic Environments)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

12 pages, 198 KB

Open AccessArticle

Spillovers and State Politics: Explaining Variation in U.S. Water Quality Permit Stringency

by Neal D. Woods

Water 2025, 17(11), 1569; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17111569 - 23 May 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 424

Abstract

Why do environmental regulators allow some facilities to discharge more water pollution than similar facilities in other locations? Drawing on general theories of regulatory decisionmaking, this study assesses four possible reasons: (1) variation in governments’ ability to export pollution to other political jurisdictions, (2) variation in the demographic composition of the neighborhood surrounding the facility, (3) variation in local communities’ ability to mobilize for effective collective action, and (4) variation in subnational political context. Analyses of effluent discharge limits imposed by the U.S. states on two common classes of water pollution indicate that state regulators allow greater discharges when the receiving river crosses state lines, and that they are responsive to a variety of other demographic and political factors. The specific factors, however, often vary across the two pollutants assessed. These results suggest that subnational political considerations may shape the conditions imposed in water pollution permits, and, ultimately, water quality outcomes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pollution Mechanisms and Source Apportionment of Typical Pollutants in Aquatic Environments)

15 pages, 2210 KB

Open AccessArticle

A New Insight into Sulfate Contamination in Over-Exploited Groundwater Areas: Integrating Multivariate and Geostatistical Techniques

by Li Wang, Qi Wang, Wenchang Li, Yifeng Liu and Qianqian Zhang

Water 2025, 17(10), 1530; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17101530 - 19 May 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 625

Abstract

The issue of sulfate (SO₄²⁻) pollution in groundwater has already attracted widespread attention from scientists. However, at the large-scale regional level, especially in areas with groundwater overexploitation, the pollution mechanisms and sources of sulfate remain unclear. This study innovatively investigates the spatial distribution characteristics and sources of SO₄²⁻ in the groundwater of the Hutuo River alluvial fan area, an understudied region facing significant environmental challenges due to overexploitation. Utilizing a combination of hydrochemical analysis, multivariate statistical methods, and geostatistical techniques, we reveal that the mean concentration of SO₄²⁻ is significantly higher (127 mg/L) in overexploited areas, with an exceedance rate of 5.1%. Our findings uncover substantial spatial heterogeneity in SO₄²⁻ concentrations, with particularly high levels in the river valley plain (RVP) (175 mg/L) and the upper area of the alluvial fan (UAF) (169 mg/L), which we attribute to distinct human activities. A novel contribution of our study is the identification of groundwater depth as a critical factor influencing SO₄²⁻ distribution (p < 0.001). We also demonstrate that the higher proportion of sulfate-type waters in overexploited areas is primarily due to the accelerated oxidation of sulfide minerals caused by overexploitation. Principal component analysis (PCA) and correlation analysis further identify the main sources of SO₄²⁻ as industrial wastewater, domestic sewage, the dissolution of evaporites, and the oxidation of sulfide minerals. By integrating geostatistical techniques, we present the spatial distribution of sulfate pollution sources at a fine scale, providing a comprehensive and spatially explicit understanding of the pollution dynamics. These results offer a novel scientific basis for developing targeted strategies to control sulfate pollution and protect the sustainable use of regional groundwater resources. Our study thus fills a critical knowledge gap and provides actionable insights for groundwater management in similar regions facing overexploitation challenges. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pollution Mechanisms and Source Apportionment of Typical Pollutants in Aquatic Environments)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 1277 KB

Open AccessArticle

Study on the Pollution Mechanism and Driving Factors of Groundwater Quality in Typical Industrial Areas of China

by Li Wang, Qi Wang and Dechao Zheng

Water 2025, 17(10), 1420; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17101420 - 8 May 2025

Viewed by 578

Abstract

Uncovering the characteristics of groundwater pollution and its driving mechanisms are crucial for maintaining its ecological functions. This study focuses on hydrochemical changes and their driving factors in groundwater from different aquifers in industrial zones, taking Zibo City, Shandong Province, China, as the research area. During the dry and flood seasons of 2022, samples of phreatic water in pore media (17 sites) and karst confined water (23 sites) were collected and monitored. Piper trilinear diagrams, Gibbs diagrams, ion ratio diagrams, and a principal component analysis (PCA) were used for in-depth analyses. Pore phreatic water had higher excess rates of Na⁺, Cl⁻, and NO₃⁻ than karst confined water, which indicated a greater degree of human impact compared with karst confined water. The main hydrochemical type was HCO₃·SO₄-Ca, but in the dry season, pore phreatic water shifted to HCO₃·SO₄·Cl-Ca. The ion ratios and PCA indicated that the groundwater quality was mainly controlled by water–rock interactions and industrial activities. In the flood season, pore phreatic water was influenced by evaporite dissolution, industrial activities, and domestic sewage, while in the dry season, it was affected by halite and carbonate weathering dissolution and domestic sewage. Karst confined water was controlled by water–rock interactions and industrial activities in both seasons. The findings reveal that the key drivers of groundwater quality displayed significant differences depending on the aquifer type and seasonal variations. As such, customized approaches are essential to efficiently address and counteract the decline in groundwater quality. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pollution Mechanisms and Source Apportionment of Typical Pollutants in Aquatic Environments)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 1212 KB

Open AccessArticle

Combining Fluorescent Organic Substances, Ions, and Oxygen-18 to Trace Diverse Water Sources of River Flow in a Hilly Catchment

by Zhi-Xiang Sun, Yan-Ting Ao, Jun-Fang Cui, Xiao-Yu Li, Xiang-Yu Tang, Jian-Hua Cheng and Lu Chen

Water 2025, 17(8), 1222; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17081222 - 19 Apr 2025

Viewed by 380

Abstract

Reliable identification of river hydrograph separation is crucial for prioritizing water source areas to be protected from pollution. A field study was carried out in a hilly catchment with diverse land uses, located in Southwest China. A novel water-tracing method, combining the ratio of two conservative fluorescent components of dissolved organic matter, two ion ratios, and oxygen-18, was proposed for river hydrograph separation with MixSIAR. During a rain event with the longest preceding no-rain period, a set of four tracers were found to be applicable to drainage areas with diverse land uses. Notably, a drier antecedent soil moisture condition could favor the occurrence of more tracers qualified for distinguishing multiple water sources of river flow. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pollution Mechanisms and Source Apportionment of Typical Pollutants in Aquatic Environments)

► Show Figures

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Pollution Mechanisms and Source Apportionment of Typical Pollutants in Aquatic Environments

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editor

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

Published Papers (6 papers)

Research

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI