Impacts of emerging organic contaminants on freshwater resources: Review of recent occurrences, sources, fate and effects

• Published in: The Science of the total environment Vol. 408; no. 24; pp. 6062 - 6069
• Main Authors: Pal, Amrita, Gin, Karina Yew-Hoong, Lin, Angela Yu-Chen, Reinhard, Martin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier B.V 15.11.2010; [Amsterdam; New York]: Elsevier Science; Elsevier
• Subjects: Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Applied ecology; Applied sciences; Biological and medical sciences; Continental surface waters; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution; Endocrine Disruptors - analysis; Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics; Environment; Exact sciences and technology; Fate; Fresh Water - chemistry; Fresh water environment; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Hormones - analysis; Insecticides - analysis; Natural water pollution; Occurrence; Organic Chemicals - analysis; Pharmaceutical Preparations - analysis; Pharmaceuticals and hormones; Pollution; Pollution, environment geology; Review; Surface water; Surface-Active Agents - analysis; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis; Water Pollution, Chemical - statistics & numerical data; Water treatment and pollution; Pharmaceuticals and hormones; Review; Occurrence; Fate; Surface water; Drug; Insecticide; Ecotoxicology; Pollutant behavior; Toxicity; Pesticides; Endocrine disruptor; Surfactant; Freshwater environment; Pollution source; Water pollution; Organic compounds
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2010.09.026

Rapid urbanization and frequent disposal of wastewater to surface water cause widespread contamination of freshwater supplies with emerging contaminants, such as pharmaceuticals, insecticides, surfactants, endocrine disruptors, including hormones. Although these organic contaminants may be present at trace levels, their adverse effects on aquatic life, animals and even humans are a growing concern. Numerous studies have been published on the occurrence and fate of emerging organic contaminants in different parts of the world, spanning a wide range of sources and aquatic environments including freshwater catchments, effluent wastewater streams, lakes, rivers, reservoirs, estuaries and marine waters. This paper reviews recent studies on the occurrence and fate of frequently detected pharmaceuticals and hormones and identifies areas that merit further research.