Search Results (1,166)

Freshwater is essential for sustaining the health of humans, animals, and ecosystems; however, agricultural activities remain a major source of water pollution globally. This review examines how crop production, livestock farming, and aquaculture contribute to water contamination, the effectiveness of current European policies, and the potential of sustainable mitigation strategies. Evidence from the research identified pesticides, herbicides, veterinary antibiotics, nutrient runoff, aquaculture effluents, and microplastics as the primary agricultural pollutants affecting surface and groundwater quality. These contaminants have been linked to ecosystem degradation, biodiversity loss, endocrine disruption, antimicrobial resistance, and adverse human health outcomes. Despite extensive regulatory frameworks, including the Water Framework Directive, Nitrates Directive, Farm to Fork Strategy, and European Green Deal, significant implementation and monitoring challenges remain. Current evidence indicates that only 40% of European surface waters achieve “good” ecological status, highlighting persistent water quality concerns across the region. The review further identified precision irrigation, Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled monitoring, biopesticides, hydroponic systems, and integrated multi-trophic aquaculture as promising solutions for reducing agricultural impacts on water resources. However, barriers, including high implementation costs, technological limitations, and inconsistent policy enforcement, continue to hinder widespread adoption. Overall, the findings demonstrate that while existing policies have improved water governance, stronger regulatory enforcement, greater investment in sustainable technologies, and increased adoption of nature-based solutions are required to reduce agricultural water pollution. An integrated approach combining technological innovation, policy support, and sustainable farming practices is essential to protect freshwater resources and ensure long-term environmental sustainability. Full article

Water resources are essential for human well-being. However, water pollution is a major global problem with significant implications for the environment and public health. To address these challenges, this study presents an integrated perspective on water pollution by correlating pollution sources, transport pathways, exposure routes, and associated risks to human health. The methodology combined a systematic review conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines with a bibliometric analysis performed by using VOSviewer version 1.6.19, a software tool for constructing and visualizing bibliometric networks. A total of 332 publications published between 2015 and 2025 were retrieved from the Scopus and Google Scholar databases and met the PRISMA eligibility criteria. The findings indicate that both natural and anthropogenic sources contribute to water contamination, introducing pollutants such as heavy metals, pesticides, pharmaceutical residues, microplastics, and pathogenic microorganisms with potential human health impacts. Bibliometric analysis revealed a transition from conventional water quality assessments toward integrated approaches emphasizing health risks and environmental interactions. The study further identified important knowledge gaps regarding contaminant mixture effects and synergistic toxicity, which remain insufficiently addressed in current scientific and regulatory frameworks. These findings highlight the need for strengthened regulatory strategies, advanced treatment technologies, and evidence-based water governance to support environmental sustainability and public health protection. Full article

With the growing emphasis on environmental sustainability, the proper treatment of industrial wastewater and the protection of groundwater resources have become pressing global concerns. Congo red (CR), a widely used azo dye, enters water bodies via wastewater discharge, posing persistent ecological risks to surface and groundwater systems. Adsorption, as a direct and sustainable remediation approach, necessitates the development of high-performance adsorbents to inhibit CR migration into groundwater. In this study, a Fe₂O₃/γ-Al₂O₃ composite was synthesized via sol-gel method for efficient CR adsorption, thereby mitigating groundwater contamination risk. The composite exhibited a high specific surface area (246.22 m²/g) and a maximum adsorption capacity of 1027.72 mg/g. Adsorption behavior followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic and Langmuir isotherm models, consistent with chemisorption-driven monolayer adsorption. The Weber–Morris intraparticle diffusion model confirmed rapid initial surface adsorption, beneficial for practical groundwater remediation. pH-dependent adsorption efficiency further indicated the role of electrostatic interactions, informing process optimization under varying groundwater chemistries. DFT calculations demonstrated that Fe₂O₃/γ-Al₂O₃ possesses a higher adsorption affinity for CR than γ-Al₂O₃. Collectively, Fe₂O₃/γ-Al₂O₃ shows strong potential as a novel, efficient adsorbent for CR interception and groundwater quality protection. Full article

Agricultural and food-processing residues, as well as fruit by-products, represent widely available but still underutilised resources. Although numerous laboratory-scale studies have demonstrated their ability to remove heavy metals from contaminated water, their practical implementation remains limited by incomplete understanding of long-term stability, regeneration efficiency, and end-of-life environmental safety. This review critically evaluates the current state of biosorbent research, with particular emphasis on the full life cycle of these materials, including adsorption performance, regeneration strategies, repeated-use potential, and post-exhaustion management. While focusing primarily on agricultural residues, the review also integrates key findings from alternative materials such as algae, microbial biomass, and industrial sludge to provide a comprehensive evaluation. Particular attention is given to the distinction between desorption and regeneration, metal recovery from desorption streams, and the associated environmental burden of secondary waste generation. In addition to commonly proposed valorisation routes, such as incorporation into construction materials, thermal conversion, and reuse in energy or catalytic applications, the review highlights that most end-of-life pathways remain partial solutions rather than true closed-loop systems. In many cases, only a small fraction of spent biosorbents can be effectively incorporated into secondary products, while remaining residues still require further treatment or disposal. The lack of standardised criteria for defining biosorbent exhaustion and performance thresholds further limits comparability across studies and hinders scale-up. Overall, current evidence suggests that biosorbent-based wastewater treatment should be considered a promising but still partially circular system, where full material closure has not yet been achieved. Addressing these gaps is essential for advancing toward more robust and environmentally sustainable implementation and for improving the circularity of biosorbent-based wastewater treatment systems. Full article

Hexavalent chromium (Cr (VI)) contamination of water resources constitutes a major environmental and public health issue due to its high toxicity, mobility, and carcinogenic properties. This review examines recent advances in Cr (VI) removal technologies from water and wastewater, with emphasis on membrane-based separation processes and adsorption approaches. Conventional treatment methods, including chemical precipitation, ion exchange (IX), electrocoagulation (EC), electrodeionization (EDΙ), bioremediation, and photocatalysis, are comparatively discussed in terms of removal efficiency, operational limitations, and applicability. In parallel, sustainable adsorbent materials derived from biomass and agricultural waste are evaluated as environmentally friendly and cost-effective alternatives for chromium removal. The role of functional groups, adsorption mechanisms, and redox interactions involved in Cr (VI) reduction and immobilization is also analyzed. Attention is given to membrane technologies, such as reverse osmosis (RO), nanofiltration (NF), electrodialysis (ED), and ultrafiltration (UF) after surface modification with the incorporation of nanomaterials and/or the application of Layer-by-Layer (LBL) assembly techniques, which enhance selectivity, permeability, and antifouling behavior. The reviewed studies demonstrate that advanced membrane systems and bio-based adsorbents can achieve high chromium removal efficiencies while supporting sustainable water treatment practices. Overall, the combination of membrane technologies with functionalized materials represents a promising direction for the development of efficient and environmentally sustainable Cr (VI) remediation systems capable of meeting increasingly strict regulatory limits. Full article

Overexploitation of groundwater resources poses a critical challenge in major agricultural regions worldwide, yet how confined and unconfined aquifers respond differentially to governance interventions remains poorly understood. This study presents a comparative assessment of hydrochemical evolution and nitrate contamination dynamics in the Weishan Irrigation District, Shandong Province, China, contrasting pre-governance conditions (2011) with post-governance status (2022–2023) following comprehensive overexploitation control. By integrating hydrochemical characterization with stable isotope tracers (δ¹⁸O, δD, δ¹⁵N-NO₃⁻, δ¹⁸O-NO₃⁻) and Bayesian mixing models (MixSIAR), we reveal fundamentally contrasting aquifer responses to regulation. The unconfined aquifer exhibited continued degradation under persistent agricultural influence, characterized by elevated sodium, nitrate, and bicarbonate concentrations. In sharp contrast, the confined aquifer demonstrated substantial recovery, with major ion concentrations declining markedly, hydrochemical facies restored toward a pristine state, and overall water quality improving significantly to achieve full compliance with the highest-quality standards by 2023. These divergent trajectories indicate that regulatory interventions effectively restored aquitard barrier integrity, thereby shielding the confined aquifer from surface contamination, whereas the unconfined aquifer remained vulnerable to agricultural pollution. Isotope-constrained Bayesian modeling identified soil organic nitrogen, chemical fertilizers, manure/sewage, and industrial wastewater as dominant nitrate sources, with isotopic evidence confirming that the unconfined aquifer receives mixed recharge from Yellow River water and precipitation under contemporary contamination, while the confined aquifer maintains independent, pollution-free recharge. These findings demonstrate that overexploitation control can effectively rehabilitate confined aquifer systems by reestablishing natural hydrogeological barriers, but unconfined aquifers require targeted agricultural pollution mitigation. The contrasting responses highlight the necessity of aquifer-specific management strategies in irrigation-dependent regions, advancing theoretical understanding of how regulatory measures differentially affect multi-layered groundwater systems and providing a scientific basis for precision groundwater governance. Full article

Heavy metal ion pollution has emerged as a global issue. These contaminants are not only present in water sources but are also commonly detected in air, soil, food, and consumer products, posing serious risks to ecosystems and human health. Even at very low concentrations, heavy metal ions can exhibit substantial toxicity. Traditional methods for the detection of heavy metal ions typically require complex laboratory equipment and specialized technicians, making them inadequate for rapid on-site monitoring. Microfluidic technology, as an innovative platform capable of precisely controlling and manipulating minute volumes of fluid, has demonstrated enormous potential in analytical chemistry, biomedicine, and environmental monitoring. In the rapidly developing field of microfluidics, paper-based microfluidic platforms have become prominent due to their low cost, straightforward fabrication, and eco-friendly nature, offering powerful tools for the detection of heavy metal ions in diverse samples. This survey consolidates the major advances reported from 2015 to 2025 in utilizing paper-based microfluidic systems for identifying heavy metal ion pollutants in diverse sample types, including air, explosive residues, water sources, herbal supplements, skin-whitening cosmetics, environmental aerosols, urine, soil, gunshot residues, cucumber plants, and food. The review analyzes in detail the principles and applications of detection strategies based on colorimetric methods, fluorescent methods, electrochemical methods, dual-detection systems, and other methods, as well as the role of nanomaterials and selective recognition elements in improving detection sensitivity and specificity. These portable, low-cost, and easy-to-operate detection systems provide viable solutions for environmental and public health monitoring, particularly suitable for resource-limited regions and scenarios requiring rapid detection. Full article

Global population growth and numerous anthropogenic activities are putting increasing pressure on island aquifers. This situation is exacerbated in popular tourist destinations where seasonal population fluctuations increase water consumption. Most island aquifers are threatened by overexploitation, contamination, and seawater intrusion (SWI), which threaten these resources’ sustainability. In this study, the vulnerability of the Bozcaada Island (Türkiye) to SWI during peak seasons (summer) was assessed using the GALDIT approach. The GALDIT index takes into account six key hydrogeological characteristics, including groundwater occurrence (G), which represents the type of aquifer (confined, unconfined, or semi-confined) and influences the interface between freshwater and saline water; aquifer hydraulic conductivity (A), where higher conductivity increases the risk of SWI and determines how easily water flows; groundwater level above mean sea level (L), which indicates hydraulic pressure against SWI; distance from the coast (D), which implies higher SWI risk when close to the coast; existing intrusion status (I), which takes into account current SWI detections based on the ratio of chloride ions to bicarbonate ions in a groundwater sample; and aquifer thickness (T). Bozcaada Island hosts a large number of tourists during the summer months, when agricultural production is at its peak, with a high demand for irrigation. This significantly increases the demand for groundwater and leads to saltwater intrusion. Based on the results of the GALDIT index, the island’s groundwater reserves are heavily used throughout the summer. The GALDIT index for the summer shows that this increased groundwater abstraction intensifies the SWI problem. In summer, the island is vulnerable with 6.11 km² of extremely high SWI, 7.88 km² of high SWI, 7.34 km² of moderate SWI, 7.40 km² of low SWI and 8.50 km² of very low SWI. This study emphasizes how urgently Bozcaada Island needs sustainable water management techniques. Full article

The Wadi Al-Ahsaba watershed is an arid to semi-arid catchment situated in southwestern Saudi Arabia, characterized by intermittent surface flow, high evaporation and low rainfall, and a dam reservoir built for flood control. The work aims to assess hydrological and anthropogenic controls on surface and groundwater quality, pollution status, and human health risks using an integrated approach of hydrogeochemical analysis, multivariable statistics, and water quality and contamination indices. A total of 21 water samples (15 surface water, 6 groundwater) were analyzed for general chemistry, major ions, and trace elements. Hydrogeochemical analysis and principal component analysis (PCA) were implemented to differentiate the geogenic from anthropogenic control on water quality. The pollution status and associated risk were evaluated using water quality index (WQI), contamination degree (Cd), Hazard Quotient (HQ), and Hazard Index (HI). Results suggest limited surface–groundwater interaction, with surface water dominated by Ca–Mg–HCO₃ facies, indicating recent recharge and limited water–rock interaction, whereas groundwater exhibits mixed Ca–Mg–Cl and Ca–Na–Cl–SO₄ types, revealing longer residence time and water–rock interaction. Nitrate (9.5–109 mg/L) and TDS (522–1003 mg/L) exceeded drinking water standards in 90% and 95% of tested samples, respectively, and WQI ranged from 43 to 134, reflecting excellent to poor water. High non-carcinogenic risk from nitrate was observed, especially for infants. The study concluded that the geogenic processes (water–rock interaction, evaporation, and mineral dissolution) control the general chemistry of tested water, while anthropogenic input from wastewater and agriculture input are likely contributors to nitrate contamination. The study contributes to the understanding of arid wadi-dam systems by revealing how limited recharge, hydrological connectivity, and episodic flow control contaminant transport and persistence, underscoring the critical role of integrated hydrological analysis and land use management in safeguarding freshwater resources in arid environments. Full article

Estuaries along South Africa’s coastline are increasingly subjected to anthropogenic pressures that disrupt their biogeochemical function and increase the risk of contamination. This study presents the first seasonal assessment of heavy metal contamination and water quality indices in the Qholora Estuary, Eastern Cape Province. Surface water samples collected during wet and dry seasons were analysed for physicochemical properties and heavy metals (As, Cd, Cu, Fe, Hg, and Pb). Multiple pollution metrics (Pollution Index (PI), Nemerow Pollution Index (NPI), Heavy Metal Evaluation Index (HEI), Heavy Metal Pollution Index (HPI)), ecological risk indices ((Ecological Risk Index (ERI), and Potential Ecological Risk Index (PERI)), and the Water Quality Index (WQI) were applied and supported by Principal Component and Cluster Analyses to identify dominant pollutant, contamination sources and seasonal hydro-geochemical controls. Results reveal strong seasonal contrasts: wet-season conditions showed elevated ionic concentrations and enhanced mobilisation of Cu, Pb, Cd, Hg, and Fe due to storm-driven runoff and sediment resuspension, while dry-season patterns reflected evapo-concentration, prolonged residence times, and pH-mediated metal partitioning. Across indices, heavy metal contamination remained low in the dry season but increased significantly in the wet season, especially for Hg, which posed moderate to considerable ecological risk at most sites, indicating emerging ecological pressure under high-flow conditions. These findings highlight a generally low risk under average conditions but a pronounced seasonally vulnerable estuarine system, underscoring the need for intensified monitoring during periods of increased runoff. The study establishes an important baseline for regional water resource management. Full article

Microplastics (MPs) are widely recognized as emerging contaminants in freshwater environments. Their identification often relies on extensive sample preparation and chemical treatments, which increase analysis time, reagent use, and overall resource consumption. Consequently, there is a growing need for sustainable analytical approaches enabling reliable MP detection while minimizing sample handling. This study proposes an analytical workflow based on hyperspectral imaging (HSI) as a proof-of-concept approach for direct identification of MPs in freshwater samples. Water samples collected from three different rivers, containing heterogeneous natural materials, were spiked with MPs (250–1000 μm) of three common polymers, namely high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polystyrene (PS), and polypropylene (PP), to simulate realistic contamination scenarios. HSI acquisitions were performed in the short-wave infrared range (SWIR: 1000–2500 nm). Spectral preprocessing and principal component analysis (PCA) were applied for data exploration, while a hierarchical partial least squares-discriminant analysis (Hi-PLS-DA) model was developed to classify five target classes: natural materials, water, HDPE, PS, and PP. Despite sample complexity, the proposed workflow achieved satisfactory classification results, as demonstrated by the predicted class map and the corresponding statistical metrics (sensitivity, specificity, precision, and F1-score: 0.900–0.999). These results highlight the potential of the SWIR-HSI-based approach as a rapid and sustainable method for direct MP identification in freshwater samples and provide methodological insights for rapid MP screening strategies requiring minimal sample preparation. Full article

Water scarcity in Peru is increasingly shaped by competing sectoral demands, particularly between large-scale mining and agriculture. Both sectors rely heavily on limited freshwater resources in arid coastal and Andean basins, generating complex trade-offs between economic productivity, environmental sustainability, and social equity. This review synthesizes and critically evaluates current knowledge on water footprint (WF) dynamics within mining–agriculture systems, integrating hydrosocial theory, water–energy–food nexus thinking, and sustainability transition frameworks. Mining activities in Peru are characterized by high blue and grey water footprints, associated with intensive extraction processes and contamination risks, while agriculture exhibits diverse water footprints depending on crop type, irrigation efficiency, and climatic conditions. The interaction of these sectors creates hydrosocial conflicts driven by unequal water allocation, environmental degradation, and institutional fragmentation. This paper identifies key drivers of conflict and evaluates emerging pathways for sustainability transitions, including technological innovation, nature-based solutions, and participatory governance mechanisms. An integrative conceptual framework derived from a thematic synthesis of the reviewed literature is proposed. The findings provide actionable insights for policymakers and researchers seeking to reconcile economic development with water sustainability in resource-constrained environments. Full article

Groundwater level mapping is used in order to detect aquifer locations, flow paths, recharge zones, and contamination/pollution of groundwater. This is crucial for water management, environmental studies and resource planning focusing on landfills. This study involves the collection of monitoring well data and the mapping of the groundwater table at the Mavrorachi landfill site using Geographic Information Systems (GISs). The monitoring period spans from 2008 (startup) to 2025 (the current full year) for the 11 monitoring boreholes. Interpolation methods in GISs enabled us to map the groundwater level, while spatial analysis tools modeled the potential groundwater flow. The above process proved to be a valuable tool for modeling groundwater resources. The monitoring of groundwater level is essential to prevent the impact of leachate generated from landfill. Full article

Areas where mining activities overlap with agricultural production may promote the mobilization of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) into soils and water resources, thereby creating exposure pathways for populations living or working in these environments. This study analyzes the concentration of PTEs in agricultural soils and irrigation water from Santa Rosa, southern Ecuador, and assesses the associated health risks for exposed agricultural workers. For this purpose, 35 soil samples were collected from farms and 12 water samples from the irrigation canal during the dry season of 2025. The concentration of PTEs in soil and water was determined using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), respectively. The PTE concentration in both matrices was compared with the maximum permissible limits (MPL) established by Ecuadorian regulations. Non-carcinogenic hazard indices ($\mathrm{H}\mathrm{I}$) and carcinogenic risk ($\mathrm{T}\mathrm{C}\mathrm{R}$) were estimated following the U.S. EPA methodology. In soil, As and Cr were the PTEs of greatest concern, exceeding the MPL in 93% of the samples and by up to 4.4 and 2.4 times, respectively, while in water, all PTEs were below the MPL. Non-carcinogenic risk was below the recommended limit for soil and water ($\mathrm{H}{\mathrm{I}}_{\mathrm{s}\mathrm{o}\mathrm{i}\mathrm{l}}$ = 3.00 × 10⁻² and $\mathrm{H}{\mathrm{I}}_{\mathrm{w}\mathrm{a}\mathrm{t}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{r}}$ = 2.00 × 10⁻³), with As as the dominant contributor. Cancer risk was tolerable in soil ($\mathrm{T}\mathrm{C}{\mathrm{R}}_{\mathrm{s}\mathrm{o}\mathrm{i}\mathrm{l}}$ = 4.34 × 10⁻⁵), while in water it remained at a low level ($\mathrm{T}\mathrm{C}{\mathrm{R}}_{\mathrm{w}\mathrm{a}\mathrm{t}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{r}}$ = 1.65 × 10⁻⁶). These findings identify As and Cr as priority contaminants and support targeted monitoring and source-control measures in mining-influenced agricultural areas. Overall, by integrating agricultural soil and irrigation water quality with an occupational health risk assessment in Santa Rosa, this study contributes evidence to support future research in mining–agriculture coexistence areas. Full article

Introduction: Chemical pollution of water bodies constitutes a global problem with huge impacts on fish populations. Consequently, the assessment of the effects of contaminants, especially on the nervous system, has become essential. The zebrafish (Danio rerio) has emerged as a prominent vertebrate model in ecotoxicology and neuroscience, in large part owing to the availability of genetic resources, including a high level of genome sequencing and annotation, plus the similarity of its neuron types and neurotransmitters to other vertebrates, including humans, and its stereotyped behaviour. Objective: The main objective of this mini-review is to present a synthesis of the key behavioural assays used in zebrafish larvae to assess neurotoxicity, focusing on developmental neurotoxicity. Methodology: A literature review was conducted based on the ScienceDirect and PubMed databases, covering publications between 2000 and 2025, selecting relevant studies on larval (up to 120 hpf) behaviour and contaminant exposure. The methodology was based on the analysis of behavioural tests applied to larvae, which evaluate responses to various stimuli, including visual, acoustic, tactile, and social stimuli. Results: Established, commonly used key assays include the light/dark test and locomotor, touch, photomotor, acoustic, and social response tests. The literature results confirm that zebrafish larvae exhibit complex behavioural patterns comparable to those of higher vertebrates, making them suitable for neurobehavioural studies. Changes in locomotor behaviour, responses to stimuli, or social patterns are extremely sensitive indicators of early neurotoxic effects, often before morphological changes are observed. Furthermore, the developing nervous system is particularly sensitive to chemicals, with high potential for irreversible effects, even with short-term exposures. Conclusions: Overall, our findings demonstrate that behavioural assays in zebrafish larvae constitute an effective, sensitive, and economically viable tool for assessing the neurotoxicity of compounds, contributing to a better understanding of the mechanisms of action and advancing environmental protection and public health strategies, considering also the “one health” approach. Full article