Challenge of Micropollutants in Aquatic Systems

The increasing worldwide contamination of freshwater systems with thousands of industrial and natural chemical compounds is one of the key environmental problems facing humanity. Although most of these compounds are present at low concentrations, many of them raise considerable toxicological concern...

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Published inScience (American Association for the Advancement of Science) Vol. 313; no. 5790; pp. 1072 - 1077
Main Authors Schwarzenbach, René P, Escher, Beate I, Fenner, Kathrin, Hofstetter, Thomas B, Johnson, C. Annette, Gunten, Urs von, Wehrli, Bernhard
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States American Association for the Advancement of Science 25.08.2006
The American Association for the Advancement of Science
Subjects
Animals
Aquatic ecosystems
Biodegradation, Environmental
Chemical hazards
Chemical mixtures
Chemical water pollution
Chemicals
Complex Mixtures - analysis
Complex Mixtures - toxicity
Developing Countries
Ecosystem
Environment
Fresh Water
Freshwater
Freshwater resources
Green chemistry
Groundwater
Humans
Pesticides
Reviews
Risk Assessment
Sustainable agriculture
Toxicity Tests
Wastewater treatment
Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis
Water Pollutants, Chemical - classification
Water Pollutants, Chemical - metabolism
Water Pollutants, Chemical - toxicity
Water pollution
Water Pollution - prevention & control
Water Purification - methods
Water Supply
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Summary:The increasing worldwide contamination of freshwater systems with thousands of industrial and natural chemical compounds is one of the key environmental problems facing humanity. Although most of these compounds are present at low concentrations, many of them raise considerable toxicological concerns, particularly when present as components of complex mixtures. Here we review three scientific challenges in addressing water-quality problems caused by such micropollutants. First, tools to assess the impact of these pollutants on aquatic life and human health must be further developed and refined. Second, cost-effective and appropriate remediation and water-treatment technologies must be explored and implemented. Third, usage and disposal strategies, coupled with the search for environmentally more benign products and processes, should aim to minimize introduction of critical pollutants into the aquatic environment.
Bibliography:http://www.scienceonline.org/
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ISSN:0036-8075
1095-9203
DOI:10.1126/science.1127291