Aquatic Emerging Contaminants and Their Ecotoxicological Consequences, 2nd Edition

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

We propose a Topic concerning the assessment of emerging contaminants in aquatic ecosystems, as well as their ecotoxicological effects on aquatic species. This Topic includes scientific peer reviewed articles from MDPI journals such as Toxics, Waters, Journal of Xenobiotics, and Journal of Marine Science and Engineering. In this context, emerging contaminants such as pharmaceuticals, illicit drugs, nanoparticles, and (micro)plastics are not included in regular monitoring processes and represent an increasing global threat to the aquatic environment. For this reason, based on the pivotal approach in ecotoxicology named Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA), which includes the monitoring and effects of pollutants, the proposed Topic has the following aims: (i) monitoring emerging contaminants in both marine and freshwater environments, with particular attention given to (micro)plastics, and (ii) the evaluation of adverse effects on aquatic species at different levels of biological organization (from molecular to population one) using the following approaches:

• Classical ecotoxicological tests; 
• Wide batteries of biomarkers; 
• “Omics” techniques.

Research papers, reviews, and short communications are welcome. For original articles, only studies concerning the evaluation of environmental concentrations or, in general, that have a high ecological impact will be considered. This Topic will collect articles that fill the knowledge gap on the ecotoxicology of emerging contaminants.

Dr. Valerio Matozzo
Prof. Dr. François Gagné
Dr. Stefano Magni
Topic Editors

Keywords

Participating Journals

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Journal of Marine Science and Engineering jmse	2.8	5.0	2013	15.6 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
Journal of Xenobiotics jox	4.4	6.0	2011	27.6 Days	CHF 1600	Submit
Pollutants pollutants	-	-	2021	40 Days	CHF 1000	Submit
Toxics toxics	4.1	6.4	2013	18.1 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
Water water	3.0	6.0	2009	19.1 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
Environments environments	3.7	5.7	2014	19.2 Days	CHF 1800	Submit
Limnological Review limnolrev	-	1.4	2001	20.4 Days	CHF 1000	Submit

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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All JMSE JoX Pollutants Toxics Water Environments Limnological Review

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17 pages, 1832 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Integrated Monitoring of Water Quality, Metal Ions, and Antibiotic Residues, with Isolation and Optimization of Enrofloxacin-Degrading Bacteria in American Shad (Alosa sapidissima) Aquaculture Systems

by Yao Zheng, Jiajia Li, Ampeire Yona, Xiaofei Wang, Xue Li, Julin Yuan and Gangchun Xu

J. Xenobiot. 2025, 15(6), 174; https://doi.org/10.3390/jox15060174 - 22 Oct 2025

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Abstract

This study investigated water quality, metal ion concentrations, and antibiotic residues specifically enrofloxacin (ENR) and its metabolite ciprofloxacin (CIP), across six American shad (Alosa sapidissima) aquaculture sites over a one-year period. Water and sediment samples were analyzed to determine contamination levels, [...] Read more.

This study investigated water quality, metal ion concentrations, and antibiotic residues specifically enrofloxacin (ENR) and its metabolite ciprofloxacin (CIP), across six American shad (Alosa sapidissima) aquaculture sites over a one-year period. Water and sediment samples were analyzed to determine contamination levels, and ENR-degrading bacteria were isolated from the culture environment to explore their potential use in bioremediation. Findings showed that NH₃-N and total suspended solids (TSS) exceeded recommended standards at all sampling sites. Elevated levels of Li, Na (except S1), Fe, Ni (except S2 and S4), Sr, and Cu were found at site S3. Site S5 recorded the highest concentrations of Al, As, and Pb, while Cd was most abundant at S6. In sediments, S5 showed higher levels of Mg, K (except S3), Ca, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, As, Pb, Cu, and Zn (except S3). ENR and CIP were detected in all water and sediment samples, with a 100% detection rate. The highest ENR (16.68–3215.95 mg·kg⁻¹) and CIP (3.90–459.60 mg·kg⁻¹) concentrations in water occurred at site S6, following a seasonal pattern of autumn > winter > summer > spring. In sediments, the maximum ENR (41.43–133.67 mg·kg⁻¹) and CIP (12.36–23.71 mg·kg⁻¹) levels were observed in spring. Two ENR-degrading bacterial strains were successfully isolated and identified as Enterococcus and Bacillus. Optimal degradation was achieved at 30 °C, pH 8.0, 6% inoculum, and 3000 Lux, resulting in a 64.2% reduction in ENR after 72 h. Under slightly different conditions (25 °C, pH 10), degradation reached 58.5%. This study provides an efficient strain resource for the bioremediation of ENR pollution in the aquaculture water of American shad. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Aquatic Emerging Contaminants and Their Ecotoxicological Consequences, 2nd Edition)

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13 pages, 2253 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Genetic Damage to Human Lymphocytes Induced by Contaminated Water in Populations Surrounding Lake Chapala and the Santiago River, Jalisco, México

by Mónica Reynoso-Silva, Carlos Alvarez-Moya, Fernando Manuel Guzmán-Rubio, Daniela Guadalupe Velázquez-Cruz, Daniel Moreno-Del Río, Blanca Catalina Ramírez-Hernández, Lucía Barrientos-Ramírez, José de Jesús Vargas-Radillo, Paulina Beatriz Gutiérrez-Martínez and Mario Alberto Ruíz-López

Toxics 2025, 13(10), 887; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13100887 - 17 Oct 2025

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Abstract

Polluted water in the Chapala–Santiago basin (CSB) contains several genotoxic substances that present risks to human health, particularly among residents of communities surrounding Lake Chapala and the Santiago River, where a high prevalence of cancer has been documented. For this reason, it is [...] Read more.

Polluted water in the Chapala–Santiago basin (CSB) contains several genotoxic substances that present risks to human health, particularly among residents of communities surrounding Lake Chapala and the Santiago River, where a high prevalence of cancer has been documented. For this reason, it is necessary to study the genotoxic activity of these waters and the genetic damage in inhabitants of the surrounding populations. This study assessed the genotoxicity of water in various communities in the CSB and evaluated DNA damage to lymphocytes in residents of nearby locations. The alkaline comet assay was employed to evaluate water genotoxicity and DNA damage to lymphocytes in residents living near these waters. A standardized questionnaire was distributed to participants of this study to evaluate their exposure to polluted water. Significant genotoxic activity (p < 0.05) was observed in the lymphocytes of individuals exposed to contaminated water (tail length in Puente Grande 27.88 ± 5.4 compared to 3.77 ± 1.64 of negative control), along with notable DNA damage (p ≤ 0.05) to the lymphocytes of residents living in proximity to these waters (tail length in Juanacatlán 12.3 ± 3.4 compared to 1.4 ± 0.74 of negative control). The waters of the CSB possess the capacity to cause DNA damage; meanwhile, genotoxicity increases from Chapala to El Salto due to the additional input of genotoxic contaminants, thereby elevating the cancer risk for the exposed population. The comet test proved to be a useful tool that allowed data to be obtained quickly and reliably. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Aquatic Emerging Contaminants and Their Ecotoxicological Consequences, 2nd Edition)

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18 pages, 3600 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Spatial Distribution, Key Influencing Factors, and Ecological Risk of Microplastics in Pearl River Estuary Water and Sediments

by Jiyuan Hu, Chengliang Li, Lichi Deng, Ziyan Yan and Xing Gong

Water 2025, 17(17), 2572; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17172572 - 31 Aug 2025

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Abstract

Microplastic (MP) pollution in aquatic ecosystems poses significant ecological and public health risks. A comprehensive understanding of estuarine MP pollution, influenced by multiple anthropogenic and environmental factors, remains elusive in current research. This study investigated the spatial distribution patterns and dominant factors influencing [...] Read more.

Microplastic (MP) pollution in aquatic ecosystems poses significant ecological and public health risks. A comprehensive understanding of estuarine MP pollution, influenced by multiple anthropogenic and environmental factors, remains elusive in current research. This study investigated the spatial distribution patterns and dominant factors influencing MP abundance (MPA) and physicochemical diversity in the river water and sediments of the Pearl River Estuary (PRE), while also assessing the associated ecological risks. The dominant MP categories in river water and sediments were fibers, clear in color, <1 mm in length, and composed of polyethylene terephthalate and polypropylene. Whereas inland regions showed higher MPA, nearshore regions exhibited marginally greater physicochemical diversity. Multivariate statistical analysis identified population density as the primary driver of both MPA in river water and MP physicochemical diversity in sediments. MP physicochemical diversity in river water was predominantly governed by the synergistic effect of salinity and the vegetation land. MPA in sediments depended on the synergistic effect of flow rate and watershed area. Ecological risk assessment identified elevated risks in the eastern study area driven by the presence of polymethyl methacrylate. This study establishes a scientific basis for PRE region MP management and provides global comparative data for estuarine MP research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Aquatic Emerging Contaminants and Their Ecotoxicological Consequences, 2nd Edition)

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11 pages, 2615 KB  

Open AccessCommunication

The Insecticide Imidacloprid Promotes Algal Growth in Absence of Zooplankton

by Verónica Laura Lozano, Florencia Soledad Alvarez Dalinger and Liliana Beatriz Moraña

J. Xenobiot. 2025, 15(3), 90; https://doi.org/10.3390/jox15030090 - 10 Jun 2025

Viewed by 822

Abstract

Imidacloprid, a systemic neonicotinoid insecticide, exerts its neurotoxic effects by binding to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the central nervous system. In this study, we examined the effects of commercial imidacloprid formulations on the growth of Chlorella vulgaris and other algal species, comparing these [...] Read more.

Imidacloprid, a systemic neonicotinoid insecticide, exerts its neurotoxic effects by binding to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the central nervous system. In this study, we examined the effects of commercial imidacloprid formulations on the growth of Chlorella vulgaris and other algal species, comparing these responses with those induced by plant hormones. Our results demonstrate that formulated imidacloprid stimulates C. vulgaris growth at concentrations as low as 7.82 μM, with a more pronounced effect than certain phytohormones. We observed similar growth-enhancing effects in other algal species exposed to imidacloprid. Notably, pure imidacloprid induced equivalent growth responses in C. vulgaris, confirming that the observed stimulation results from the active ingredient itself rather than formulation adjuvants. Given its insecticidal mode of action, potential worst-case aquatic contamination scenarios with imidacloprid may lead to significant increases in algal biomass through both direct (growth stimulation) and indirect (reduction of zooplankton grazing pressure) mechanisms. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Aquatic Emerging Contaminants and Their Ecotoxicological Consequences, 2nd Edition)

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